Br. John Patterson, Junior Novice

John J. Patterson was born in 1885 at Chicago, Illinois. He spent only a few months in the Juniorate when in June of 1899 his poor health caused him to be sent home for the summer vacation. An injury by a blank cartridge on the 4th of July resulted in tetanus (lockjaw) and death at the age of fourteen. John requested to be buried in the Brothers' Cemetery in Glencoe and his mother sought and received permission to fulfill his request. She donated the crucifix of the Calvary Group atop the cemetery grotto in his honor. His will read in part, "my bicycle to Mark Nanley, my clothes to the poor, and may my heart rest as close as possible to those whom I hoped to join.  May those who are tempted against their vocation find relief when they pray at my grave."