Patterson worked in newspapers in Lorain and Cleveland before coming to Toledo as a news editor in 1910. Later, he was managing editor, executive editor, and Editor-in-Chief of the Toledo Blade. He worked for The Blade from 1910 to 1956 and was nationally known for his "The Way of the World" column.

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He traveled the world for interviews. He nominated Senator Robert Taft for President at the 1940 Republican convention. As a much admired editor and member of the community, an elementary school, later a charter school was named in his honor.

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