James Jenkin Patterson

DuBois Courier, Tuesday, September 20, 1921

Private J. J. Patterson Laid To Rest
First DuBois Soldier to Lose His Life While Fighting in France, is Given Full Military Burial

Patterson Post is in Charge
Large Throng of People in Attendance at Mt. Zion Church When Rev. Calhoun Preaches Sermon

This community paused yesterday afternoon between the hours of 3 and 4 o'clock to pay tribute to another of the young men of DuBois who answered their country's call, dying on the field of battle. The young man, James J. Patterson, was the first man from DuBois to die on the field of battle, receiving a mortal wound while fighting with the marines in Belleau woods, in the early phases of American participation. The stores all over the city closed, there being but one exception reported; flags were at half masts, and in general the city paid tribute to the soldier dead.

The memory of James J. Patterson was honored by having the recently formed Post of Veterans of the Foreign War named for him, and this post had charge of the funeral yesterday. The post furnished the pallbearers, the guard of honor, and a firing squad. There was a large turnout of all ex-service men of all wars, the call for them being general. They met at the bank corner at 1:30 o'clock and were taken to the Mt. Zion church, the scene of several soldier funerals, where services were conducted over the remains of Private Patterson by Rev. W. O. Calhoun, who preached an especially fine sermon, paying glowing tribute to the valor of those who went to a foreign shore to fight the onrush of the German hordes.

The remains of Private Patterson were taken in a hearse from the home of his sister, Mrs. Ralph Batterson, of Main Extension, and brought to the church; where a large throng participated in the services.

Following the services the remains were taken to the Rumbarger cemetery, where interment was made, the firing squad sending a final salute over the grave.

Private James Jenkin Patterson was a native of Helvetia, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Patterson. He spent most of his life in the city of DuBois, at the time of the war enlisting in the Marines, the date being July 28, 1917, at Pittsburgh. He was killed in action in Belleau woods, on June 6, 1918. He was a member of a machine gun company. At the time of his death he was 24 years of age.