My Genealogy Hound

W. J. ATKINSON, M. D., a prominent physician of Sedalia, has charge of the Miner Institute for the cure of the liquor, morphine and tobacco habits. He has made a great study of various systems, and has brought to perfection one of his own, known as the Electro-Hydric and Vitalized Tonic Gold Cure. Since October, 1886, he has been a member of the State Eclectic Medical Society, and has written articles for leading medical journals.

The great-grandfather of the Doctor was born in Scotland, and the grandfather, Frederick Atkinson, was a native of Virginia. In early days he moved to Kentucky and followed his trade as a shoemaker, and in 1827 moved to Moniteau County, Mo., dying there about 1846. Our subject’s father, James T., was born in Glasgow, Ky., November 2, 1816, and became a resident of this state in 1826. He owned a valuable homestead of three hundred and sixty acres in Cooper County, but in 1866 sold out, settling near Kingsville, Johnson County. In 1877 he went to Jefferson City and a year later returned to Cooper County, locating on a farm near Tipton, but now resides in Clarksburg. He enlisted for the Mexican War, but was never called into service. For many years he has been a Democrat. He is a Deacon in the Baptist Church, and possesses the confidence and high regard of all his acquaintances. His wife, Elizabeth, is a daughter of Solomon Martin, a native of North Carolina and of English descent. He was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, settling there when the Indians were very troublesome, but at a later day moved to Cooper County, Mo., where he conducted a farm. Mrs. Atkinson, now over seventy-four years of age, was born near Tompkinsville, Ky., and by her marriage became the mother of twelve children, all but one of whom grew to maturity, though but four are now living.

W. J. Atkinson was born in Cooper County, Mo., near Pisgah, May 23, 1842, and attended the district and select schools. In 1860 he took up medical studies with Dr. McClanahan, near Tipton, and also practiced with him. In 1864 the Doctor enlisted in Company C, Forty-third Missouri Infantry, being mustered in at Clarksburg, Mo., and was sent under Pleasanton to Jefferson City in pursuit of Price. Returning to Moniteau County, he took part in a number of skirmishes, and when his time of service had expired re-enlisted as a Corporal in the Cooper County Platoon, acting as such until August, 1864, when he was honorably discharged.

In the spring of 1866 Dr. Atkinson engaged in practice at Kingsville, remaining there until the fall of 1870. The next nine years were spent in Pisgah, and then he entered the St. Louis Eclectic Medical College, taking two courses of lectures. In 1881 he became a resident of Clarksburg, Mo., and in June, 1893, opened an office for general practice in Sedalia, but has made a specialty of chronic diseases.

July 7, 1872, the Doctor married Sarah C. Miller, who was born in Richland County, Ohio. Her father, John M. Miller, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and his father, Andrew, a fancy weaver by trade, was a native of Germany and an early settler in the Keystone State. John Miller, who was a man of superior education, graduated with the degree of Master of Arts, and was a professor in a Pennsylvania college. In Ohio he was married to Christine Grove, a native of Lancaster County, Pa. Her maternal grandfather, whose name was Boyer, was a German earl. John M. Miller moved to Missouri and engaged in farming near California, but died in Pisgah. The Doctor and wife have two children: Elva A., who is attending Cooper Institute, and Sarah E.

In Clarksburg Dr. Atkinson served as Mayor five years altogether, and was also Deputy-Postmaster at Kingsville. Formerly a Republican, he is now a supporter of the People’s party. He is a Grand Army man, belonging to Henry Brown Post No. 276, at Clarksburg, and is an ex-member of the Odd Fellows’ society He is not connected with any church, but is a believer in spiritualism.