Augustus Patchin was born in 1818 in Ohio. Census records indicate that he married his wife, Margaret, and moved to Wyocena, Wisconsin sometime before 1850 and worked as a farmer. In 1861 Augustus enlisted with Company D, 10th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment and was promoted to sergeant. He was wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863 and spent time in Libby Prison (Virginia) and Camp Oglethorpe (Georgia) before his release sometime in 1864. Augustus mustered out of service in December 1864 and returned to Wyocena where he continued to work as a farmer. He died in 1902 and is buried in Wyocena cemetery. Augustus had five sons; James, Albert, Orlo, John, and Herbert. His youngest son, Herbert, was born after he enlisted.
James Patchin was born in 1844 in Ohio. He moved with his family to Wyocena, Wisconsin sometime before the Civil War. James worked with his father on the family farm once he was old enough, and was tasked with its upkeep when Augustus enlisted in 1861. James himself enlisted in 1864, after his father had been taken prisoner. He served in Company B, 40th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment until his enlistment expired after 100 days. James then joined Company I, 47th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment in 1865 and served until mustering out in September of that year. He returned to Wyocena after the war and continued to help out on the farm. By 1880, James had married his wife, Eliza, and had moved to Viola, Minnesota to work as a farmer. He lived in the area until his death in 1927 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery. James was the father of five children; Charles, Edna, George, Lottie, and Eliza.
Margaret Patchin was born in 1818 in New York State. Census records indicate she moved to Ohio and married Augustus sometime before they moved to Wyocena in 1850. The couple remained in Wyocena their entire lives. Margaret last appears in census records for 1880. Augustus is listed in the 1900 census as a widower, placing her death sometime between 1880 and 1900.
Mary McDougall was born in 1837 in New York State. Census records show her living with the Burnett Family in Black Earth, Wisconsin in 1860. Infomration from the letters in the collection indicate that the Burnett Family were relatives to the Patchin family, making it likely that Mary was also related to the Burnetts. The letters also indicate she moved to Wyocena to help Margaret out around the house while Augustus was fighting in the war. She does not appear in any other census records, but information from the letters indicate she did move back to Black Earth in 1865 and continued to write the Patchin Family through 1866.
