Weldon Taylor Patton, the son of Nathaniel "Nat" Allbright Patton, Sr. and Martha "Mattie" Louise Taylor Patton was born in Belott, TX, located near Crockett, on August 29, 1910. He was the first son born to the couple who had four children in all. Weldon Patton attended public school in Crockett, enjoyed sports and athletic activities and played football for the Crockett Bulldogs while in High school. After graduating from High school, he worked at several jobs before entering Sam Houston State Teachers College. He graduated from there in August of 1935. On August 20, 1935, Weldon married a young school teacher, Nolia Eugenia Angier of Huntsville. She, too, was a graduate of Sam Houston State Teachers College and a former All-College Beauty. Weldon continued his education by pursuing law studies at the University of TX in Austin. His new bride continued her teaching job at New Waverly for teh following year. In the fall of 1936, the young couple moved to Washington D.C. His father, Nat Patton, Sr. was a Congressman from the seventh District at the time and urged the couple to join him and his wife in Washington. Weldon obtained a job at the General Accounting Office and attended Southeastern Law School at night. His wife worked at the Library of Congress. They readily made a lot of friends, many of whom were there from all over the United States both for jobs and for education. Living there was a unique and wonderful experience for the newlyweds from the piney woods of deep-east TX. While in Washington, they were included in many Congressional activities as part of the Congressman's family. They were socially active and visited the White House on many occasions while Franklin D. Roosevelt was President. They attended White House receptions and luncheons and met many inportant people from all over the world. On one occasion, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt personally introduced Mrs. Patton to some other TX women, including Mrs. Jesse H. Jones of Houston. At another function, they met another young couple from TX, the Lyndon B. Johnsons. During this time, Weldon became a Mason and received instruction in historic Alexandria, Virginia, where George Washington had begun his work with the organization. After six years of living "up North," Weldon was drafted into military service and the couple came back "home" to Huntsville. while awaiting military orders, Weldon was license to practice law. He worked temporarily at the Prisoner of War Camp near Riverside while waiting to report for active duty. Military orders finally arrived and Weldon was sent to Army boot camp in Florida in November of 1942. After six months, he was given leave and was then shipped to England in 1943. He served with General George S. Patton's Third Army-Twentieth Corps as it went through Northern France. Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded four Bronze Stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the EAME Campaign Medal. He was sent home in December, 1945 where he was introduced for the first time to his daughter. Angela Elaine, who was by that time sixteen months old. Weldon practiced law until 1946 when he was elected County Judge of Walker County. On September 2, 1947, a second child was born, james Donald, who would grow up to follow in the political footsteps of his father and grandfather. After leaving public office in 1955, Weldon worked for Western Republic Insurance Company and later moved to Crockett where he wrote for the Houston County Courier newspaper. In 1966, he accepted an offer to practice law with the prestigious frim of Portis and Bostick in Houston where he resided until his death. Weldon Taylor Patton died on July 2, 1969 at the age of 58. He was buried in his boyhood hometown of Crockett in Evergreen Memorial Park in the family plot. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Huntsville and in Crockett, a Mason and a veteran of World War II. His parents lie buried beside him. He was survived by his daughter, Angela, who is married and is presently in her fifteenth year of employment at Sam Houston State University. His son, James, is the present County Clerk of Walker and the Chairman of the Walker County Historical Commission. He is involved with the First United Methodist Church and other local organizations. His grandson, Johnny Hamilton "Woody" Johnson, III, is a student at Sam Houston State University. F733 by Mrs. Eugenia Patton History of Walker County