From Memorial and Genealogical Record of Dodge and Jefferson Counties, Wisconsin, publ. 
1894 - Page 163-164
 
THOMAS PATRICK.  Many of the solid citizens of Dodge County, Wis., began life for themselves 
poor boys, and obtained their start in life by following the calling of the agriculturist.  At least this 
was the case with Thomas PATRICK, but he has for some time been retired from the active 
business affairs of life, and is residing in comfortable circumstances in the town of Waupun.  He is 
a product of the Emerald Isle, and was born in County Tyrone, November 12, 1827, and in the 
land of his birth he spent his youth and, fortunately, received a good, practical education.  When 
but sixteen years of age he determined to seek his fortune in the New World, and for this purpose 
embarked from Londonderry, Ireland, for Quebec, and landed in that city in July, six weeks after 
embarking.  The voyage across the broad Atlantic to Canada was one long to be remembered, 
for a heavy storm came up and the passengers were compelled to take their turn at the pumps.  
After Mr. PATRICK had spent two years in Ontario, near Toronto, working by the month on a 
farm, he came to Wisconsin (1847), and entered a tract of land in the northeast half of Dodge 
County, comprising forty acres, but afterward entered eighty acres more, and erected on this land 
a little log shanty, in which he lived one year.  He then came to Waupun and engaged in teaming 
for SNOW & SMITH, millers, in whose employ he remained about four years.  He then went to 
Berlin, and was the engineer in a steam saw mill there for two years, after which he returned to 
his former place of abode in Canada, where he was married in 1851 to Miss Sarah E. HUNTER, 
a native of Canada and of Irish parentage.  After his marriage he returned to Wisconsin, located 
on his land, and at once began the arduous task of clearing and breaking the same.  After a time 
he made another purchase of land, sufficient to increase his estate to 195 acres, and had 100 
acres of heavy timber land.  On this place his old and primitive buildings gave place to new and 
modern ones as time passed on, substantial fences were built, orchards set out and pleasant 
grounds surrounding his residence laid out; in fact the value of his property was greatly enhanced 
in many ways, and when he sold the place, in 1881, he received for it a large sum of money.  He 
purchased some fine residence property in Waupun, on which he has erected two residences and 
two barns, and it was due to his efforts that the street on which he lives was opened up.  He has 
been one of the foremost men in building up and improving the city of Waupun, and in every 
respect has been a useful and worthy citizen.  He is in every sense of the word a self-made man, 
for upon his arrival in this country he was almost penniless, but through his own force of will, 
determined push and energy he has been successful in the accumulation of worldly goods and in 
gathering about him a host of warm friends.  He has always supported the measures of the 
Republican party, and his business affairs alone would have prevented him from becoming an 
official aspirant, had not his tastes been in other directions.  To himself and wife the following 
children have been born: Robert H., resides in the town of Waupun; William J., is engaged in 
farming near Parker, S.D.; Margaret E., is the wife of Sam RHODES, of Waupun; Martha J., is the 
wife of Sam WALLACE, of Trenton Township; Sarah, is the wife of Andrew WALLACE, a farmer 
of Trenton township; Thomas died in early childhood; and another son, died at the age of seven 
months.  Mr. PATRICK has been a member of the I.O.O.F. since 1860, is past grand of his lodge, 
and has been through the encampment.  He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the 
State for about fourteen years, and is a very prominent Odd Fellow.  He and his wife, although 
not members, attend the Congregational Church, toward which faith they incline.  During the 
forty-nine years that he has resided here Mr. PATRICK has witnessed the development of his 
section, and his aid has been valuable in making the county the wealthy and important one that it 
now is.  He and his family are highly respected in Dodge County.
 
Submitted by Carol