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Patton was born in the village of Lisbon in Claiborne Parish in northwestern Louisiana.<ref name="LAbio">[http://www.lahistory.org/site33.php "John Sparks Patton"], ''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'', Vol. 2, Louisiana Historical Association, 1988, p.&nbsp;635</ref> ​

Patton was born in the village of Lisbon in Claiborne Parish in northwestern Louisiana.<ref name="LAbio">[http://www.lahistory.org/site33.php "John Sparks Patton"], ''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography'', Vol. 2, Louisiana Historical Association, 1988, p.&nbsp;635</ref> ​

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He married Agnes McCasland (1896–1983). They had two sons together: John Patton, Jr. (1924–1958) became a lieutenant in the [[United States Navy]] and served in both [[World War II]] and the [[Korean War]]. Olen T. Patton (1926–1943) was killed in action in World War II. <ref>Arlington Cemetery records, [[Homer, Louisiana]]</ref> They also had two daughters together: Annette Patton Ward (1923–1998)and Minion Patton Lasater (?). ​

He married Agnes McCasland (1896–1983). They had two sons together: John Patton, Jr. (1924–1958) became a lieutenant in the [[United States Navy]] and served in both [[World War II]] and the [[Korean War]]. Olen T. Patton (1926–1943) was killed in action in World War II. <ref>Arlington Cemetery records, [[Homer, Louisiana]]</ref> They also had two daughters together: Annette Patton Ward (1923–1998)and Minion Patton Lasater. ​

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==Political career==​

==Political career==​

Patton was elected as his parish school superintendent, serving from 1920 to 1937. He served as president of the Louisiana Teachers Association (now the Louisiana Association of Educators) from 1923 to 1924.<ref name="LAbio"/> ​

Patton was elected as his parish school superintendent, serving from 1920 to 1937. He served as president of the Louisiana Teachers Association (now the Louisiana Association of Educators) from 1923 to 1924.<ref name="LAbio"/> ​

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Patton's bill for state-funded textbooks in public schools was introduced in 1928 in the [[Louisiana House of Representatives]] by [[Harley Bozeman]] of [[Winnfield, Louisiana|Winnfield]], like Patton a confidant of Huey Long.<ref>"Harley Bozeman obituary," ''Winn Parish Enterprise'', 20 May 1971</ref> As governor, Long implemented Patton's textbooks proposal.​

Patton's bill for state-funded textbooks in public schools was introduced in 1928 in the Louisiana House of Representatives by Harley Bozeman of Winnfield, like Patton a confidant of Huey Long.<ref>"Harley Bozeman obituary," ''Winn Parish Enterprise'', 20 May 1971</ref> As governor, Long implemented Patton's textbooks proposal.​

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Patton ran for state education superintendent in 1928 on the intraparty [[Ticket (politics)|ticket]] with [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], but lost to [[T. H. Harris]]. He ran again in 1932 as an Independent but was defeated.<ref name="LAbio"/>​

Patton ran for state education superintendent in 1928 on the intraparty ticket with [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], but lost to [[T. H. Harris]]. He ran again in 1932 as an Independent but was defeated.<ref name="LAbio"/>​

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In 1938, Patton was elected to the Third District seat on the [[Louisiana Public Service Commission]], but in 1942, he was unseated by [[Jimmie Davis]] of [[Shreveport]].<ref name="LAbio"/> Davis used the position as a stepping stone, serving two years on the PSC, a utility rate regulatory body, before being elected [[governor of Louisiana]] in 1944.​

In 1938, Patton was elected to the Third District seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission, but in 1942, he was unseated by [[Jimmie Davis]] of [[Shreveport]].<ref name="LAbio"/> Davis used the position as a stepping stone, serving two years on the PSC, a utility rate regulatory body, before being elected [[governor of Louisiana]] in 1944.​

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Patton returned to Homer, the seat of Claiborne Parish, to resume his career as a school administrator. In 1950, Governor [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]] in his second elected term appointed Patton as superintendent of the [[Louisiana School for the Deaf]], located in the capital.<ref name="gannon">[http://saveourdeafschools.org/Deaf_Heritage_by_Jack_Gannon_page_29.pdf Gannon, Jack. ''Deaf Heritage–A Narrative History of Deaf America'', Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf, 1981, pp. 29-30 (PDF])</ref> Patton served there until 1961, dying in office.<ref name="LAbio"/>​

Patton returned to Homer, the seat of Claiborne Parish, to resume his career as a school administrator. In 1950, Governor [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]] in his second elected term appointed Patton as superintendent of the [[Louisiana School for the Deaf]], located in the capital.<ref name="gannon">[http://saveourdeafschools.org/Deaf_Heritage_by_Jack_Gannon_page_29.pdf Gannon, Jack. ''Deaf Heritage–A Narrative History of Deaf America'', Silver Spring, MD: National Association of the Deaf, 1981, pp. 29-30 (PDF])</ref> Patton served there until 1961, dying in office.<ref name="LAbio"/>​