1868 Birth:2198,1280 Birth date of 29 July 1868 taken from other researcher. This date is consistent with age (2 years) in 1870 census enumeration; birth place of Washington Township, Johnson County, Iowa assumed based on his parents location there in the same enumeration.

1870 U.S. Census:1280 William enumerated in the household of his father Adam Patterson in Washington Township, Johnson County, Iowa as a male, age 2, white, born in Iowa, mother foreign born. Six siblings (Jacob, Ephraim, Clarissa, James, George W., and Jonathan) also resided in the household.