James A. Patten
Encyclopedia
James A. Patten was an American
financier and grain merchant, born at Freeland Corners, Illinois He attended the common schools and was early a clerk, a farmer, and an employee in the Illinois State department of grain inspection (1874–78), whence he learned the details and operation of the grain commission business. For 32 years from 1878 to 1910 he was a member of several firms. Patten was the mayor of Evanston
in 1901-05. He was prominently before the public in connection with an attempt to corner the wheat
crop in 1909. It was alleged that Patten himself secured control of more than 23,000,000 bushels of wheat, and that these holdings, together with those of his associates, were sufficient to force the price of wheat and flour up, while he gained enormous profits. He also operated his business in Liverpool where in 1911 on a trip to the Manchester Exchange his appearance caused a riot.
In addition to being mayor of Evanston, Illinois
, Patten was also a trustee of Northwestern University
where he donated funds to build the original Patten Gymnasium
. The architect of the gym was George Maher who had designed Patten's house in Evanston.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
financier and grain merchant, born at Freeland Corners, Illinois He attended the common schools and was early a clerk, a farmer, and an employee in the Illinois State department of grain inspection (1874–78), whence he learned the details and operation of the grain commission business. For 32 years from 1878 to 1910 he was a member of several firms. Patten was the mayor of Evanston
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
in 1901-05. He was prominently before the public in connection with an attempt to corner the wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
crop in 1909. It was alleged that Patten himself secured control of more than 23,000,000 bushels of wheat, and that these holdings, together with those of his associates, were sufficient to force the price of wheat and flour up, while he gained enormous profits. He also operated his business in Liverpool where in 1911 on a trip to the Manchester Exchange his appearance caused a riot.
In addition to being mayor of Evanston, Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston is a suburban municipality in Cook County, Illinois 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, bordering Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north, with an estimated population of 74,360 as of 2003. It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan...
, Patten was also a trustee of Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
where he donated funds to build the original Patten Gymnasium
Patten Gymnasium
Patten Gymnasium is a multi-purpose gymnasium in Evanston, Illinois. The original building, designed by George Washington Maher, opened in 1910 and was home to the Northwestern University Wildcats Basketball Team until 1940, when it was demolished and rebuilt farther north to make room for the...
. The architect of the gym was George Maher who had designed Patten's house in Evanston.