My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

WILLIAM FREDERICK ATKINSON, farmer and stock-raiser; is a son of John Atkinson, a native of Mayview, Parish of Castle Conner County of Sligo, Ireland, born April 10, 1812. John Atkinson came to the United States in 1837, locating in New York and later in Illinois, where he practiced law and taught school until 1849, when he came to this county. Here he practiced law and for several years was County Surveyor. He was a graduate from a law and literary college of Dublin, Ireland. In 1838 he married Maria Antoinette De Hule, of Albany, N. Y., who died April 16, 1876. His death occurred April 24, 1861. They had five children: Phillip A., William F., Robert, John V. and Maria Theresa (deceased). William F. was born in Bullitt County, Ky., January 19, 1843. He came to this county with his parents in 1849, locating at Rockport, where he received a good education. March 4, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-eighth Regiment, First Indiana Cavalry, and served until April 1, 1865. He returned home and has since followed farming in this county. He owns 375 acres of good land, and has one of the best country residences in the county. In addition to his farming from 1868 to 1877 he taught school during the winter months, and from 1876 to 1880 carried the mail from Rockport to Boonville. May 22, 1873, he married Susanna J. Kerr, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio. They have five children: George K., Allen V., Roy S., Theresa J. and Herbert J. Mr. Atkinson is a stanch Republican, a member of the G. A. R., and of the Presbyterian Church of which his wife is also a member.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 344 biographies included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Spencer County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Spencer County, Indiana family biographies here: Spencer County, Indiana Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.