James B. Atkinson

James B. Atkinson
Atkinson c. 1858
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 20th District
In office
December 2, 1857 – December 6, 1859
Sheriff of Meeker County, Minnesota
In office
1862–1865
Personal details
BornJames Benton Atkinson
(1822-11-13)November 13, 1822
Kingston, Ontario, Upper Canada
DiedDecember 7, 1894(1894-12-07) (aged 72)
Litchfield, Minnesota, U.S.
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/serviceUnion Army
Years of service
1862–1865
Rank Captain
UnitCompany D, 2nd Minnesota Cavalry Regiment
Company H, 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment
CommandsCompany H, 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment
Battles/wars

James Benton Atkinson (November 13, 1822 – December 7, 1894) was a Canadian American businessman, politician, military officer, and early citizen of Forest City, Minnesota. Atkinson served a single term in the 1st Minnesota Legislature and later fought in both the Dakota War of 1862 and the American Civil War.

Early life and education

Atkinson was born on November 13, 1822, in Kingston, Ontario, he was the son of John Atkinson and Ann (Atty) Atkinson who were English emigrants from Yorkshire.:156:91 Atkinson's family later moved to Black Rock, New York where he lived for much of his childhood.:156 Atkinson was educated in common school before working in the printing trade in Freeport, Pennsylvania.:156:91-92

Career

Beginning in 1853 Atkinson began work as a railroad contractor for the Allegheny Valley Railroad, Atkinson later worked for the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway.:92 Atkinson returned to Freeport in 1855 before speculating land in Iowa and Missouri.:92 In the spring of 1856 Atkinson moved to Minnesota Territory choosing to settle in Forest City, Minnesota in Meeker County.:92 Once in Forest City, Atkinson continued to work in the mercantile trade while operating both a general store and hotel until 1879.:157

Political career

Atkinson began his political career on October 13, 1857, when he was elected to represent Meeker County, Benton County, and Stearns County in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Atkinson would serve in the 1st Minnesota Legislature from December 2, 1857, to December 6, 1859. During his term Atkinson was a member of the Rules and Joint Rules committee.

Atkinson also held several local offices in Meeker County including sheriff (1862–1865), county commissioner, assessor, and justice of the peace.:157-158:92

Military service

During the American Civil War Atkinson and George Carlos Whitcomb worked as military recruiters for a company of volunteers to serve in the 6th Minnesota Infantry Regiment.:157 Atkinson and Whitcomb's recruiting efforts were hindered however due to the outbreak of the Dakota War of 1862.:157 Atkinson and Whitcomb quickly formed the Sibley Guards militiawith Atkinson being elected as the militia's First Lieutenant.:157

Atkinson would formally join the Union Army as a private and military scout for Company D of the 2nd Minnesota Cavalry Regiment on November 4, 1863.:157:723 Atkinson would serve in Sully's Expedition with the 2nd Minnesota Cavalry until being transferred to command Company H of the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Regiment on February 20, 1865. Atkinson would serve with the 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery in Chattanooga, Tennessee before being mustered out of service on September 27, 1865.:157:602

Later life and death

Following his military service Atkinson continued to work as a mercantile businessman and local Meeker County politician.

Atkinson died on December 7, 1894, in Litchfield, Minnesota.

Personal life

Atkinson was married to Abigail A. Sholes in Allegheny, Pennsylvania on March 20, 1845, together they had eight children.:156:92

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Illustrated Album of Biography of Meeker and McLeod Counties, Minnesota, Containing Biographical Sketches of Hundreds of Prominent Old Settlers and Representative Citizens, with a Review of their Life Work, their Identity with the Development of this Region; Reminiscences of Personal History and Pioneer Life, together with Portraits of Prominent Citizens. Chicago: Alden, Ogle & Company. 188. pp. 156–158.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men: Minnesota Volume (PDF). New York: American Biographical Publishing Company. 1879. pp. 91–92.
  3. 1 2 3 "James B. "J.B." Atkinson". Minnesota Legislators Past & Present. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Meeker County Sheriffs". Meeker County. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  5. ↑ Flandrau, Charles E.; Lochren, William; Bishop, J. W.; Sanborn, John B.; Hubbard, L. F.; Andrews, C. C. (1890). Minnesota in the Civil and Indian Wars 1861-1865. St. Paul: Pioneer Press Company. pp. 773.
  6. ↑ "Soldier Details". The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service). Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 Van Cleve, Horatio P. (1866). Annual Report of the Adjutant General, of the State of Minnesota, for the Year Ending December 1, 1866, and of the Military Forces of the State from 1861 to 1866. Saint Paul: Pioneer Printing Company.
  8. ↑ "Soldier Details". The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service). Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 "CAPT. ATKINSON DEAD.: A Meeker County Landmark Is No More". The St. Paul Globe. December 8, 1894. p. 1. Retrieved September 28, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ↑ "Battle Unit Details". The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service). Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Captain Atkinson Dead". The Worthington Advance. December 13, 1894. p. 7. Retrieved September 28, 2026.