PATTERSON, Morris, philanthropist, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 26 October, 1809; died there, 23 October, 1878. He was left fatherless at ten, and the rudiments of his business education were received at the Philadelphia public schools prior to his fourteenth year, at which age he entered business, to assist in the support of his mother. From dealing in coal he soon became interested in mining, and he was one of the pioneers in anthracite coal-mining in Schuylkill county, bringing his outputs to market in his own boats through the Schuylkill canal. He also established an extensive coal-trade in Pitts-burg and the west. He was one of the canvassers for stock of the Pennsylvania railroad, and one of its organizers and original stockholders. He was active in the affairs of the Presbyterian church, a humanitarian in his dealings with his workingmen, the founder of the Pennsylvania working home for blind men, and took active and substantial interest in philanthropic movements in Philadelphia.