José María Patoni (1828–1868) was a Mexican liberal military commander and governor of the State of Durango during the Reform War and the Second French Intervention in Mexico.

[2] After the Reform War Began, Patoni corresponded with the various liberal leaders, and in 1858 he joined Ramon Coronado with 100 men, armed and equipped at his expense.

He attended the siege and capture of Durango with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and due to having been severely wounded, while also leading the action in a brilliant manner, he was promoted by Santos Degollado.

[2] In the year 1859, the conservative campaign returned to the state, under the so-called "Teulises" movement named after the Zacatecan town of their origin, San Andrés Teúl, commanded by the famous Spanish Domingo Cajén.

Shortly after, he was called to the aid of Durango by the governor, Juán José Zaldívar, who, convinced of his lack of aptitude to govern the state in such difficult circumstances, resigned from the position, which fell to Patoni, by agreement of the majority of the Legislature.

[2] His first duty in power was, as expected, organizing and disciplining his army to combat the reactionary troops, which, under Cajen's orders, had managed to take over almost the entire state.