Robert H. Patterson is the eighth of nine children of Robert C. and Malinda W. (Carson) Patterson, and was born on Christmas day, 1838, in Perry County, Tenn. His father was a Virginian, born in 1797, and remained in his native State until twelve years of age. He then came with his father to Tennessee and settled in Bedford County. Here he was reared, educated and married. He moved to Hickman soon after the latter event and, after a two years' residence there, came to Perry County and settled on Tom Creek. His wife was also a Virginian, born in 1800. The father died in 1873 and the mother in 1859. Robert H. received a common school education, and was married, January 17, 1856, to Mary E. Blackburn, daughter of Leroy Blackburn. Mrs. Patterson was born in Bedford County November 29, 1835, and became the mother of six children: Robert L., James W., Malinda E., David C., Emma J. and William L. Our subject served in the Confederate Army in the Tenth Tennessee Cavalry Regiment under Col. N. N. Cox, of Franklin, Tenn. He was captured at the siege of Knoxville, and kept a prisoner at Fort Delaware for thirteen months. Mr. Patterson is a Democrat, and owns 260 acres of good land, on which he cultivates the cereals to some extent and gives considerable attention to stock raising, but makes peanuts his chief market product.