My Genealogy Hound

Charles Atkin, farmer and stock-raiser of Saline Township, was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1827, and is the third in a family of four children born to Thomas and Mary (Hooverton) Atkin, both natives of England. The father was a farmer by occupation and died in his native country in 1835. His excellent wife survived him until 1884, and died at the age of eighty-three years. Charles Atkin was the first of his family to leave England for this country. He was educated in the schools of England, and was reared to farm life. In July, 1848, he was married in Lincolnshire, England, to Miss Martha Whiley, who was a native of that place, and one of eleven children born to her parents. Her father died November, 1874, at the age of seventy-nine years, but her mother had died many years previous (in 1848). After his marriage Mr. Atkin lived in England for three years, and then in 1851 took passage from Liverpool, England, and after a five weeks’ voyage landed at New York City. They then went up the Hudson River to Albany, N. Y., and here Mr. Atkin engaged in farm labor for three months. He remained in that State for five years, engaged in tilling the soil, and then in 1856 moved to St. Joseph County, Mich., where he still continued farm labor. Later he purchased a small farm, remaining there seven years, and then moved to Bureau County, Ill., rented land and followed farming for nearly three years. In 1866 he immigrated to Miller County, Mo., purchased an improved farm of 120 acres, and this he has improved very much. Aside from this he is the owner of town property. Socially Mr. Atkin is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Mt. Pleasant Lodge, No. 134, and is W. M. of the lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Atkin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a steward in the same. Their union has been blessed by the birth of nine children, three now living: Annie, now Mrs. Atkinson, resides in Saline Township; Henry C., married, and who died February 13, 1889, at the age of nearly thirty-five years; he was a member of the A. F. & A. M., Mt. Pleasant Lodge, No. 134; Robert G. was next in order of birth, and now resides at Olean, a prosperous druggist; Mary Jane, who died in 1887, was the wife of William Marion Harrison; George W. was killed by a mule in 1877; James T. is married and now resides on the farm. Mr. Atkin is in every respect a self-made man, and although he started life with little else than a good constitution and plenty of pluck and energy, he has succeeded unusually well, and can now enjoy the fruits of his labor on his excellent farm and in his comfortable home. He has always taken an interest in everything that is in any way a benefit to the county, and especially in school affairs, he having been a member of the school board some time. He has been urged to run for office, but his aspirations are not in that direction.