George F. A. Atherton (December 31, 1790 – April 23, 1882)[1] was an American politician from Emerald Grove, Wisconsin, who served in the Wisconsin State Assembly after being elected to the 1st Wisconsin Legislature in 1848. He represented the Rock County towns of Bradford and Janesville.[2]
G. F. A. Atherton | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Rock 1st district | |
| In office June 5, 1848 – January 1, 1849 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Anson W. Pope |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 31, 1790 Chesterfield, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Died | April 23, 1882 (aged 91) Burlington, Iowa, U.S. |
| Resting place | Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Ruthy Bartlett (m. 1818) |
| Children | George R. Atherton |
Early life
editAtherton was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire,[3] the son of Dr Oliver Atherton (1755–1812) [4] and Abigail Ladd (1765–1828). He is a direct descendant of James Atherton,[5] one of the first settlers of New England; who arrived in Dorchester, Massachusetts, in the 1630s.
In the assembly
editAtherton was a Democrat. He was succeeded in the next session by Anson W. Pope, a Whig.[6]
After the assembly
editAtherton was on the board of directors of the Madison and Beloit Railroad Company [7] when that board voted to change its name to the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company in 1850.[8] He remained on the board until 1854, when a complete reorganization took place. The railroad later became the Madison Division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.[9]
Personal
editHe served in the U.S. Army and married Ruthy Bartlett as "Major George F. A. Atherton" in Charlestown, New Hampshire, on October 7, 1818.
His son, George R. Atherton (1824–1910), represented Clinton in the 10th Wisconsin Legislature.
His daughter, Frances (1822–1900), married William Wallace White, the son of Phineas White.[10]
He died in Burlington, Iowa, on April 23, 1882,[11] and was buried at Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Atherton One Name Study: Entry for George F A Atherton".
- ^ "First Legislature of the State of Wisconsin", Wisconsin Democrat June 14, 1848, p. 1, col. 3
- ^ 1880 United States Federal Census
- ^ "Atherton One Name Study - Entry for Dr Oliver Atherton".
- ^ "James Atherton entry on the Atherton ONS".
- James Atherton of Dorchester settled in Lancaster Massachusetts in 1654. Carter, Andrews & co. 1829. - ^ "Members of the Wisconsin Legislature: 1848 – 1999". State of Wisconsin. 2007.
- ^ Wisconsin (1876). "1850 discussions on railroad".
- ^ Hoyt, John W., et al., "Document 15: Second annual report of the railroad commissioners of the state of Wisconsin", p. 101, in Governor's message and accompanying documents delivered to the legislature in joint convention, Thursday, January 13, 1876, volume II, 1876 (covers 1874/1875)). Madison: E. B. Bolens, State Printer, 1875.
- ^ Turner, A. J., et al., "Public document no. 5: fifth annual report of the railroad commissioner of the state of Wisconsin", pp. 355-56, in Governor's message and accompanying documents, volume I (covers 1877/78) Madison: David Atwood, State Printer, 1879.
- ^ Kellogg, Allyn Stanley (1860). Memorials of Elder John White, one of the first settlers of Hartford, Conn., and of his descendants. Case, Lockwood and Co. p. 252. Retrieved February 28, 2023.
- ^ Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990