[3] Patton began practicing architecture in Chicago in 1874, leaving in 1876 for Washington D.C. where he remained until 1883.

[8] During his time as a Chicago architect Patton maintained a residence at 225 Grove in the west suburban community of Oak Park (demolished) with his wife Fanny Maria (née Keep, 1856–1895) and their four children.

[9] Patton's firm specialized in public buildings and from 1896 to 1898 he was the architect for the Chicago Board of Education.

Other noted architects from the period affiliated with the school board included August Fiedler (1893-1896), Robert Seyfarth (1895-?)

Patton and his firm were responsible for many public school buildings in Chicago and in other cities.