He served as a seaman in the United States Navy in 1917 and 1918 during World War I, and taught school in Colusa County, California from 1922 to 1924.

[1] In 1936, after being defeated in the primaries in his second re-election bid, Patterson waged a write-in campaign and won the election.

[2] Originally elected as a Republican, Patterson switched his party affiliation to Democrat after becoming enamored with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal.

[2] After gaining publicity for his write-in Assembly campaign, Patterson was elected Lieutenant Governor of California, and served from 1939 to 1943.

Patterson was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the 81st United States Congress in 1948, and resumed the practice of law.