William Worth Patterson

William Worth Patterson (November 3, 1849 – March 28, 1921) was a Kentucky businessman, the sixth mayor of Ashland, Kentucky (1886–1889), and the Division Inspector of the Post Offices in Denver (1889–92).

Early life and business career William Worth was born on November 3, 1849, in Clarion, Pennsylvania, to William Evans and Ellen Patterson, both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1855, his father, William, a stonemason, moved to Jackson County, Ohio, where he was engaged in the iron business. In June 1886, he was elected mayor of Ashland, Kentucky.

Patterson was a Kentucky delegate at the 1888 Republican National Convention, held June 19–25 in Chicago. He was an early supporter of Benjamin Harrison, who came in only fifth place at the first ballot. After Harrison obtained the nomination and, later that year, narrowly won the elections (while losing the popular vote), Patterson chased "nice, fat government" positions as a Harrison man. This time he received the appointment from Postmaster General Walter Q. Gresham.

Patterson continued as Mayor of Ashland until May 1889. As the regional Post Office Inspector, operating from Louisville, Patterson investigated robberies, burglaries, and fraud. In 1889 he was promoted to Division Inspector of the Post Offices in Denver. Patterson finished his government employment in 1892, at the advent of the Cleveland administration.

Personal, death and legacy Patterson was a Freemason, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias.

Patterson died in Denver, Colorado, on March 28, 1921. A street in Ashland, off 39th Street, is named after Mayor Patterson.