James French Patton

James French Patton (September 19, 1843 – March 30, 1882) was an American lawyer, Confederate army officer, and Democratic politician who briefly served on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

Early life James French Patton was born on September 19, 1843, in Richmond, Virginia, to Peggy French (née Williams) and Congressman John M. Patton. His great-grandfather was Gen. Hugh Mercer, who fought at the Battle of Princeton in 1776. At age 14, Patton was enrolled in Andover Academy. After his father died in 1858, the family moved to Culpeper County, Virginia. At the age of 18, he joined the Confederate States Army as a private in the 22nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, led by his brother George S. Patton Sr. He attained the rank of lieutenant. He was wounded in battle. After the war, he returned to Virginia and studied law under his brother-in-law John Gilmer of Pittyslvania County. He was admitted to the bar.

Career Patton then began practicing law. In 1870, he joined a law partnership with Allen T. Caperton and relocated to Union in Monroe County, West Virginia, after his marriage. In 1872, Patton was elected as a Democrat as prosecuting attorney of Monroe County and served four years. On June 1, 1881, Governor Jacob B. Jackson appointed Patton to a vacated seat on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia caused by the retirement of Justice Charles Page Thomas Moore.

Personal life In April 1869, Patton married Malinda Caperton, the daughter of U.S. Senator Allen T. Caperton. They had two children, Harriet Echols Patton Edwards (1870-1929) and Allen Gilmer Patton (1871-1910). A. Gilmer Patton was also a lawyer and was elected to the West Virginia legislature shortly before his death. After he died, his wife married judge Edward Franklin Bingham.

Patton died suddenly of a heart condition on March 30, 1882, in Wheeling, West Virginia, at the age of 38. He was buried in Union. His brother Isaac W. Patton was a soldier, plantation owner, and the mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana. World War II General George S. Patton was the grandchild of James French Patton's brother George S. Patton Sr.