Charles Richard Patterson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Richard Patterson
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| Born | April 1833 Virginia, US
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| Died | April 26, 1910 Greenfield, Ohio, US
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| Other names | C.R. Patterson, Rich Patterson |
| Occupation | Carriage manufacture and design |
| Employer | C.R. Patterson and Sons |
| Known for | Early African-American manufacturer and entrepreneur, civil rights activist |
| Children | 5, including Frederick |
Charles "Rich" Richard Patterson (1833 – 1910) was an amazing African-American businessman and a champion for equal rights. He built a successful company that made carriages, which were like cars before cars were invented! His company eventually became C.R. Patterson and Sons.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Charles Patterson was born in April 1833. He was born into a difficult situation, as he was a slave on a large farm in Virginia. He was the oldest of thirteen children.
It's not fully clear how Charles left the plantation. However, he eventually settled in Greenfield, Ohio, which was a safe place for people escaping slavery. He likely left Virginia around 1861, just before the American Civil War began.
Around 1865, Charles married Josephine Utz. They had five children together: Mary (born 1866), Frederick "Fred" Douglas (born 1871), Dorothea "Dollie" (born around 1871), Samuel C. (born 1873), and Catherine "Kate" (born 1879).
Building a Business
Charles Patterson started his career working at a company called Dines and Simpson Carriage and Coach Makers. There, he learned important skills, especially how to be a blacksmith. Blacksmiths work with metal, shaping it with heat and tools.
In 1873, Charles formed a business partnership with a white man named James P. Lowe. They started a company together called J.P. Lowe & Company.
Fighting for Equal Rights
Charles Patterson was also a strong advocate for civil rights. In 1880, he was a leader at the Greenfield A.M.E. Church. He also taught Sunday school there.
When his oldest son, Fred, was not allowed to attend the local public high school because of racial segregation, Charles took action. With help from his church, he filed a lawsuit called Patterson vs The Board of Education. In April 1887, the court decided in their favor. This meant Fred was allowed to attend Greenfield High School, which was a big victory for equal education.
Growing the Family Business
In 1893, Charles Patterson bought out James P. Lowe's share of the company. He then changed the company's name to C.R. Patterson, Son & Company. This new name showed that his son, Samuel, was now part of the business.
Sadly, Samuel C. Patterson became ill in 1897 and passed away in 1899. After this, Charles's eldest son, Frederick Douglas Patterson, came home to help run the family business.
Charles R. Patterson passed away on April 26, 1910. After his death, his son Frederick Douglas Patterson took over the carriage business. Frederick then made a very important decision: he decided the company should start making "horseless carriages," which we now call cars!
