James French Patton

James French Patton (September 19, 1843–March 30, 1882) was an American lawyer, Confederate officer and Democrat politician who briefly served on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

Early and family life
Patton was born in Richmond, Virginia on September 19, 1843 to former Congressman John M. Patton and his wife, the former Peggy French Williams of Richmond, Virginia. His great-grandfather was Gen. Hugh Mercer who fought at the Battle of Princeton in 1776. At age 14, Patton was enrolled in Andover Academy, but after Virginia seceded from the Union, he returned to his home state and became a lieutenant in the Confederate Army.

In 1869, Patton married the daughter of U.S. Senator Allen T. Caperton.

Career
Admitted to the Virginia bar after the war, Patton after his marriage joined a law partnership with Caperton and relocated to Union in Monroe County, West Virginia. In 1872, Patton was elected as a Democrat as prosecuting attorney of Monroe County and served four years. On June 1, 1881, Governor Jacob B. Jackson appointed Patton to a vacated seat on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia caused by the retirement of Justice Charles P.T. Moore.

Death and legacy
Patton died suddenly of a heart condition on March 30, 1882 in Wheeling, West Virginia at the age of 37. General George F. Patton was one of his descendants.