Joseph J. Patrick, filling the office of County clerk, was born in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, May 3, 1882, a son of John and Marie (Mealy) Patrick. The father was born in Waterford, Racine County, February 8, 1857, and was a son of Joseph Patrick, a stonemason by trade, who came to this country at an early period in its development, working at his trade here until called to his final rest, at the age of sixty-five years.
John Patrick was reared in this County and has made farming his life work. He wedded Mary Mealy, who was born in Dover Township, Racine County, November 28, 1859, a daughter of James Mealy, who came to the United States about 1841, with his father, Patrick Mealy. They both assisted in digging the Erie Canal, after which they returned to Ireland, but in 1836 they again crossed the Atlantic and made their way to Dover Township, Racine County, where they cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers. Patrick Mealy secured a tract of government land, comprising the south half of the northeast quarter of section 3, and obtained the deed from the government in 1842. He also secured other entries of government land, including the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 34, Norway Township. His son, James, entered a claim on the east half of the southwest quarter of section 34, Norway Township, and received his deed to the same on the 30th of September, 1845. The family has thus been identified with the agricultural development of the County for eighty years and has contributed largely to progress along that line. Mr. and Mrs. John Patrick have always lived upon a farm and they now make their home in Dover Township, Racine County.
Joseph J. Patrick obtained a public school education and pursued a business course in Rochester Academy, while for a short period he was a student in the Whitewater (Wis.) Normal School. He afterward took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for four years, and in early manhood he learned the mason’s trade, but during much of his life he has occupied public office. In 1907 he was appointed to the position of turnkey and deputy sheriff, acting in that capacity for two years. He served from 1909 to 1910 as under-sheriff and in the latter year was elected County treasurer, taking office in January, 1911. He was the capable and faithful incumbent in that position until 1915, when he was elected County clerk, and is now serving in that capacity. His record is characterized by a clear understanding of the duties that devolve upon him and by faithfulness in the discharge of every task that has come to him as a public official. He has always been a stalwart champion of the Republican Party and its principles and is now its candidate for reelection.
On the 26th of December, 1910, Mr. Patrick was married to Miss Marie Christiansen, of Racine, a daughter of Stephen and Marie Christiansen. Their children are Gladys and Glynn. Mr. Patrick has membership with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, in which he is now serving as master of finance. He has taken the degrees of both the subordinate lodge and encampment in that order and he belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Moose and the Eagles, while his interest in community affairs is indicated in his association with the Commercial Club. Practically a lifelong resident of this county and a representative of two of its well known pioneer families, his history is familiar to his fellow townsmen and that they indorse his course and recognize him as a worthy public official is indicated by the fact that popular suffrage has kept him in office for six years.