My Genealogy Hound

"Philip Van Patten, M. D." So reads the sign that noisily swings to and fro on its rusty hinges, attracting the passers-by on one of the principal streets of Forrest City. The busy little notice is given only a momentary thought by its many readers, but the reputation of him whom it represents, an efficient and popular physician, will survive him many years. Born in Schenectady County, N. Y., in 1827, Dr. Van Patten’s boyhood days were passed in carving his name in wonderful designs on his desk and making pictures, much to the delight of his schoolmates, but aside from all his fun, he was a good scholar, and won the approbation and affection of his teachers. When only thirteen years old he was deprived of his father’s love and protection, death claiming him while on business in Michigan. Philip then moved with his mother to Iowa, the mother afterward going to Denver, Colo., where she passed away in 1885, at the age of eighty-six years. His literary education was received in Iowa, he taking a classical course, under the able instruction of Father Pelamargues, a Catholic priest, of Paris, France. His studies extended to a course in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, the former being so thoroughly instilled in his mind, that he read Caesar some four years ago without consulting his Lexicon but six times. He made it a rule to regularly demonstrate a certain number of mathematical problems every morning, and now devotes a half hour daily to the study of classics. Entering the Medical University of Iowa when twenty-one, he graduated with honors in 1853, and first announced himself competent to alleviate the sufferings to which flesh is heir, in DeWitt, Iowa, where he practiced for one year in association with Dr. Asa Morgan. Daring the year 1861 he choose for the partner of his joys and sorrows the daughter of Col. John Miller, of Batesville, Ark., father of the late Gov. Miller. One child, Hattie L., born to Dr. and Mrs. Van Patten alone survives. She is now a student of art in Memphis, Tenn. During the war between the States, Dr. Van Patten was surgeon of the Thirteenth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Col. Tappen in command. He was afterward promoted to brigade-surgeon, and subsequently to the position of division-surgeon. For a short period he served as brigade-surgeon for Old Frank Cheatam, and was for two years in the Trans-Mississippi Department, under Gen. L. Polk, in Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Mississippi, also being surgeon of Fort Pillow, in 1861. He was present at the battle of Shiloh, and was made division-surgeon by Gen. Polk on the battlefield, in the presence of Albert Sidney Johnston and Beauregard. He was obliged to resign before the war closed, on account of nervous prostration. In 1858 Dr. Van Patten was elected to the State senate, but was kept out of the office by fraud, perpetrated in the clerk’s office in Poinsett County. In 1860 he was elected county representative from Poinsett County, and afterward State senator of the Thirteenth district. He was also acting surgeon of the United States army, of the Sixteenth United States Infantry, at Little Rock for a short time. Upon the close of hostilities he resumed his practice in his old county, and then went to Little Rock, where he acted as secretary of the board of health, and was also physician and surgeon for the State penitentiary. In February of 1885, the Doctor came to Forrest City, and formed a partnership with Dr. J. B. Cummings. He has been United States pension agent and president of the board of health here for two years. In societies he is associated with the A. F. & A. M. and the K. & L. of H. A genial companion, the essential characteristics of Dr. Van Patten as a gentleman and scholar mark his demeanor, and his numerous noble acts, though perhaps a trifle philanthropic in his way, only serve to endear him in the heart of his many friends and acquaintances. When on the battlefield, with men more experienced and older in years, he was heard to remark to one of them, that he felt more like a son to a father, than a superior officer to his subjects. His father’s (John P. Van Patten) immediate ancestors came direct from Holland and settled on Manhattan Island. The paternal grandfather and maternal grandfather were private soldiers under George Washington in the Revolutionary War. A grand uncle was a colonel, and took charge of the prisoners at the surrender of Burgoyne. Dr. Van Patten’s children have inherited his own studious propensities, and have been endowed by nature with unusual capabilities. Eva Lillian graduated in higher mathematics at the age of fourteen years, under Prof. D. L. Thompson, of Wittsburg, the course extending through Calculus. After thus having her reasoning powers developed far beyond the height attained by even some of the most brilliant women of our country, in order to give her that proficiency in language, literature and the fine arts, which she had already attained in mathematics, and understanding that a harmonious development of all the faculties is requisite to attain perfect personal and intellectual culture, Dr. Van Patten wisely sent her to Notre Dame, Ind., to the female school there, made famous the world over by the Sisters of Mercy. After having well improved the opportunities afforded her she again returned to her home an even more devoted student than before. During her leisure hours she was found poring over the works of Tyndall, Huxley and Darwin, drinking in the many good things in their writings and criticising contradictory statements appearing on different pages. In mathematics, literature, language, art and every other branch, her mind searched eagerly for knowledge, and she daily meditated on many of the great questions which have from remote ages vexed and perplexed the minds of our greatest thinkers. She was the constant companion of her father, and with him discussed all questions. Her greatness of heart was unlimited, and she had charity for the faults of all. Such women are priceless gems, but her physical constitution could not stand the draft on her intellect, and paralysis of the brain caused her death. Such an affliction is certainly to be lamented by more than her family, and it is to be hoped her yoking soul, freed from its incumbrance of clay, can see, without effort into all the mysteries she was continually investigating here. Hattie L., now the wife of Eugene Parrish, of Paragould, Ark., was on the point of graduating from Notre Dame, when the breaking out of diphtheria caused her sudden return home, and prevented her receiving a diploma. Her paintings and her music show the touch of an artist. She paints from nature with absolute perfection, and her portrait gems, which have been examined by many, are pronounced worthy of an artist of national reputation. She is an excellent English scholar, and proficient in Latin, French and German. She was married November 2, 1889.