Dr. Henry Paterson was born on June 26, 1794, in Lisle, NY to parents Josiah Lee Patterson and Clarissa Hyde.  His father Josiah was a farmer in Lisle, and the family moved to Ogden and then Parma in 1813.  Henry was educated as a physician and served in the Niagara frontier in the war of 1812.  After the war, Henry returned and settled in Parma. 

Henry was among the first members of the Monroe County Medical Society formed in 1821.  The society was formed to create professional standards for physicians and exercise discipline over its members.  They condemned the use of patent medicines, which were non-prescription medicines that claimed to cure various illnesses.  The ingredients of patent medicines were not disclosed, and their claims were not scientifically verified. Since patent medicines were unregulated, they were often unsafe and/or ineffective. 

Henry’s siblings were also very accomplished.  Two of which were well known:

• His brother John E. Paterson (1800 – 1870) was a lawyer and a longtime Justice of the Peace, also living in Parma. He held positions as an associate judge of the Monroe County Court from 1844 to 1847 and a NY State senator from 1856 to 1859.  He was also elected as the Supervisor of the Town of Parma from 1834 to 1837, in 1851 and in 1853.  He is buried in Parma Union Cemetery, with an obelisk dedicated by the citizens of Parma.

• His brother Thomas J. Paterson (1805 – 1885) was a merchant and manufacturer, living in Rochester.  He was also a member of U.S. Congress from 1843 to 1845.  After his term in Congress, he worked as a real estate agent. He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, Section 2, Lot 28.

Dr. Henry Paterson, his parents Josiah and Clarissa, along with his sister Elizabeth were all originally buried in Hoosic Cemetery.  In 1892, they were exhumed and moved to Mount Hope Cemetery, sharing the plot with Henry’s brother Thomas.