James A. Patten

Who was James A. Patten?

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, 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.