CR Patterson was one of the wealthiest people in the town, (earning around $150,000 in the early 1900’s which is equivalent to $2,445,631.58 in 2022). He and his family, children, and grandchildren all lived in a large home. He and his family were highly respected and involved in the AME Church and the community.
Frederick Douglass Patterson attended Ohio State University from 1891 – 1893 and was the first Black to integrate the football and baseball teams. Frederick joined the company in 1898, and was the driving force behind the development of the automobile manufacturing that came to fruition on September 23, 1915 as the first car rolled off the assembly line.
