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A. Van R. Paterson (1849 - July 27, 1902) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California from December 22, 1886 to May 3, 1894.
Born in New York, Paterson graduated from Albany Normal College in 1872 and thereafter received an LL.B. from Union College. He then moved to Stockton, California to enter into the practice of law.
His obituary said:
After opening his office at Stockton he quickly rose to prominence and was recognized by the bar throughout the State as a brilliant lawyer. He was elected City Attorney of Stockton In 1878 and 1879. He resigned from that office to accept the nomination for Superior Judge, to which office he was elected. He was re-elected in 1884. In 1856 he was elected to the Supreme Court of the State for a twelve-year term, but ho resigned In 1894 to resume the practice or law. He opened his office in this city and became associated with Attorney Arthur Rodgers, who recently passed away. The remaining member of the firm, Judge Slack, became connected with Paterson and Rodgers in 1898.
Judge Paterson played a prominent part in the legal history of the State. He was connected with many of the most celebrated lawsuits tried In the local courts. In the Fair will contest he was appointed by the court as the representative of the minor heirs, and he was also the attorney for Clara Kluge Sutro in the contest which was made over the estate left by Adolph Sutro. In many other famous will contests he bore a prominent part. He was not a gifted orator, but he cut with the keen knife of logic, and was indispensable to his associates because of his extensive knowledge of law and Its Intricacies.
His practice in this city was very extensive and he had clients in all parts of the State. In 1899 he was prominently mentioned for United States Senator. Ha was always a staunch member of the Republican party and always interested himself in its welfare.
While practicing law in Stockton, he married Miss Amy Kelsey, with whom he had three surviving children, Kelsey, Majorie, and Ogden Paterson. Paterson died at his residence at 1926 Octavia street, following a six month bout of liver disease.