Certain characteristics are indispensable to the successful physician. He must not only possess a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of medicine, but must be very accurate in applying its principles and must have an abiding sympathy, which is the outcome of an earnest desire to help his fellow men by alleviating human suffering. As Dr. Patty is wanting in none of these requirements, he has won prestige as a representative of the calling to which his energies have been devoted through life. He was born in Butler township, Montgomery county, Ohio, December 30, 1827, and is a son of Charles and Phoebe (Pearson) Patty, both natives of South Carolina, in which state their marriage was celebrated. In 1808 they joined a party of emigrants and made their way to Miami county, Ohio, but afterward moved to Montgomery county. The Doctor's father was a poor man and began working on a farm by the day or month in order to support his family. When, through his earnest labors, he had acquired a little capital, he purchased land, becoming the owner of the farm upon which the Doctor was born. There was a log house upon the place and the land was somewhat improved. He continued its cultivation until 1843, when he came to Miami county and purchased the farm in Newton township now owned by Joshua Coates. There he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred September 23, 1848. In his business affairs he had been very successful and at his death he left an estate valued at over thirty-five thousand dollars. His life demonstrates the possibilities that lie before all who are ambitious and desire to succeed and who are not afraid of hard work. He not only operated his farm, but also conducted a store in Newton township, and his industry and business qualifications brought to him a very desirable financial reward. He died at the age of sixty years, and in his death the community lost one of its valued citizens. His wife was born August 5, 1768. This worthy couple had the following named children: Mary, who was as born in July, 1808, and became the wife of Benjamin Furnas; Rebecca, who was born in March, 1810, and died at the age of twelve years; James, born March 12, 1812: Enoch, born November 8, 1814; John, born April 15, 1817; Annie, born April 15, 1820; Mark, born April 20, 1825; William, born December, 1827; and Phoebe, who was born April 16, 1830, and is the widow of Levi Jay. She makes her home in Lyons, Kansas, and she and her brothers, Mark and William, are now the only living representatives of the family.

Mark Patty spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm, and in 1849, when news of the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope was received, he became imbued with a desire to try his fortune there. Accordingly he made his way to New York and thence to California, landing at San Francisco, where he engaged in prospecting and mining for a year. He then returned to Ohio and continued his residence in this state until 1857, when he went to Kansas. He was a member of the "vigilant committee," of that state and took an active part in the development of the locality in which he made his home. He entered land near Madison and was engaged in the stock business until 1873, when he removed to Joplin, Missouri, where he was connected with zinc and lead mining for four years. He then sold his interests in those mines and became owner of some copper mines, which he operated for two years. On the expiration of that period he traveled by team to Colorado, and on the south fork of the Arkansas river was engaged in prospecting and mining for two years. He next went to New Mexico by team, and in that territory was engaged in prospecting and mining for six years. On leaving that place he took up his abode at San Diego, California, where he has conducted a ranch for two years, and has also carried on mining.

Dr. Patty, whose name introduces this record, has been dependent upon his own resources from an early age. He began teaching school at the age of seventeen years, and followed that pursuit through the winter months for five seasons, while in the summer he worked upon the home farm. He had early become familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and was an able assistant in planting and harvesting the crops; but not wishing to make that pursuit his life work he determined to enter the medical profession, and at the age of twenty he became a student in the office of Dr. Bear, of Vandalia, Ohio, with whom he remained for one year. On the expiration of that period he entered the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, in which he was a student during the scholastic year of 1853-54. He next went to Pattytown, Ohio, where he engaged in farming and also operated a sawmill from 1854 until 1860. In the latter year he located at Laura, Miami county, where he began the practice of medicine, and in 1866 he came to Pleasant Hill, where he has since made his home.

The Doctor was married in February 1849 to Miss Sarah Jane Dowell, daughter of Charles and Nancy Dowell. Her father, Charles Dowell, emigrated to Ohio from North Carolina at an early date in the settlement of this county. Nancy Dowell was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and her father was Solomon Waymire, a prominent citizen of that county. Unto Dr. Patty and his wife were born five children: Charles M.; Horace, Mary B. and Edgar: the last three named, are deceased; and William 0. The mother of these children died May 22, 1892, and on the 1st of April, 1894, the Doctor was united in marriage to Mary J. Beech. In connection with his practice he was financially interested in a grain elevator at Pleasant Hill from 1879 until 1883. His time and attention, however, has been given almost entirely to the practice of medicine since his graduation, and he has met with desirable success in his chosen calling. He has always kept abreast with the progress which has been made by the followers of the medical profession, and his labors have been attended with excellent results. His skill and ability are widely recognized and his patronage has been justly merited.

In conversing with the Doctor the writer learned that he was originally a member of the Society of Friends, but in his marriage he married contrary to the discipline of that organization and was therefore disowned from being a member of that church. Holding liberal views on the subject of religion he united with the Christian church, which has no creed but the Bible. He said he thought he was making a great advance in the way of reform and progressive and liberal Christianity, but experience has taught him that churches do not move forward with advance only when such thought becomes popular so that it is a necessity to their existence. He believes that the time has come "when churches should advocate the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of men, and that they should not use the devil and hell to frighten the people but should teach that there is an omnipresent God in whom we live and have our being."

In 1863 he received a commission from Governor Todd as captain of Company B, First Regiment, Ohio Mounted Infantry, in Miami county. In 1865 he was elected a member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association, and in 1865-66 he attended the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and received his diploma as a physician and graduate of that institute. In 1880 he was elected a director of the Dayton, Covington & Toledo Railroad Company.

He has always taken an active part in everything pertaining to the welfare of the city, has co-operated in many movements for the public good, and from 1893 until 1899 he was the efficient and honored mayor of the town. His administration was progressive and practical, and won him the commendation of all concerned. In politics he has ever been independent. Socially he is a member of the Masonic order of Pleasant Hill. His record is that of a man who has by his own unaided efforts worked his way upward to a position of affluence. His life has been one of industry and perseverance, and his capability and fidelity have gained for him the support and confidence of the community in which he lives. Without the aid of influence or wealth, he has risen to a position among the prominent men of his community, and his native ability and personal energy have gained for him a competence and the respect and confidence of all who know him. Many may differ from him in religion and politics, but all concede and respect the honesty of the man. E. S. W.