My Genealogy Hound

W. R. ATKINSON, M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in Louisiana, March 17, 1826. His father, Richard Atkinson, was a native of England, born in 1780, and died in 1846. His mother was a native of Seville, Spain, who was born in 1801 and died in 1849. When about thirteen years of age, our subject went to New York, where he attended school for about seven years. He then entered the Fourteenth Street medical college, graduating from that institution in the fall of 1853. He commenced the practice of his profession at Louisville, Ky., but shortly afterward went to Memphis, Tenn., where he practiced for two years. Then he went to Minnesota, locating at St. Paul, and practiced a half decade, after which he practiced at Hudson, Wis., for a time. He then came to Platte county, Mo., and practiced his profession one year; thence to Jacksonville, Kan., and practiced two years. He came to Joplin in the spring of 1871, and has since continued here. Dr. Atkinson was married in Marion county, Mo., May 22, 1856, to Miss Nancy, daughter of Henry Humphrey, of that county. From this union there were five children, Arabella, William, John, Harry, and Fannie. The first three are now deceased. After the death of his first wife he was again married, at Fort Scott, Kan., April 23, 1868, to Miss Adelia, daughter of Joseph Carpenter, of that city. From this union there are three children living, Harry Willis, William Richard, and Charles L. Three died in infancy. Mrs. Atkinson is a member of the M. E. Church South. Dr. Atkinson is one of the first physicians of Joplin, both as to date of coming here and as to ability as a practitioner.