John Melvin Atkinson (1845 - 1937)

Born 5 Jul 1845 in Burritt Township, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Amelia (Douglass) Atkinson — married 26 Jan 1869 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Died 17 Apr 1937 at age 91 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

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Biography

Private John Atkinson served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: Feb. 8, 1865
Mustered out: sept. 30, 1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 11th Regiment, Illinois Cavalry, Co. L

John Atkinson was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post 1, Rockford, Illinois.

John Atkinson is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Rockford, Illinois.

John was born in 1845. He was the son of John Atkinson and Nancy Conklin.^[1]

John enlisted with the Illinois 11th Calvary in February 1865. He mustered out that September. ^[2][3][4]

He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post #1, G.L. Nevins (Nevius), Rockford ^[5]

John married Mary Douglass in 1869. ^[6]

They farmed in Rockton. ^[7]

In 1880 he lived in Owen while he was superintendent of the County Poor Farm. ^[8]

in 1900 he was retired and living in Rockford. ^[9]

John passed away in 1937. ^[10][11]

Children

1. Ada B. Atkinson 1870–1929
2. Eva Viola Atkinson 1872–1949
3. Katherin M. (Franklin) 1876–1968
4. Wallace David Atkinson 1878–1965
5. Zillah Lucy (Morgan) 1882–1926
6. Mellville Conger Atkinson 1886–1957
7. Elroy Atkinson 1887-1888

Obituary

RITES MONDAY FOR ATKINSON Former Sheriff and Civil War Veteran Dies at 91

Funeral services for John. M. Atkinson, 91, former Winnebago County Sheriff and Civil War Veteran who died from infirmities of age yesterday will be held from the home at 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Charles R. Goff will officiate and burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. A squad from the Sons of Union Veterans will fire a military salute at the grave.

The son of Mr. and Mrs. John Atkinson, who settled in Burritt Township nearly one hundred years ago, Atkinson was born in a log house near Rockford on July 5, 1845. With the exception of the time he spent in the Union Army during the Civil War he had lived in Winnebago County all his life.

When he was 18 years old he enlisted with the 11th Illinois Calvary and served below the Mason-Dixon line during a part of the conflict. For several years he was an officer of the G. L. Nevis Post of the G.A.R. here.

From 1876-1886 he served as superintendent of the Winnebago County Farm Home, a position he resigned when he was elected sheriff. He was sheriff four years.

He is survived by four children, Miss Elva Atkinson, Mrs. Katherine Franklin, Wallace D. and Melville C. Atkinson, all of Rockford; and a sister, Mrs. Katherine Gordon of Roscoe. His wife, the former Mary A. Douglas, whom he married January 26, 1869, died ten years ago. Two daughters, Mrs. Fred Morgan and Miss Ada Atkinson preceded him in death. ^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M854-VYY : 19 December 2020 John M Atkinson in household of John Atkinson, Burritt Township, Winnebago, Illinois, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
2. ↑ Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls

   Name: John M Atkinson

   Rank: Private

   Company: L

   Unit: 11th Illinois Cavalry

   Height: 6' 1 1/4

   Hair: BROWN

   Eyes: GRAY

   Complexion: FAIR

   Occupation: Farmer

   Service Entry Age: 19

   Service Entry Date: 8 Feb 1865

   Service Entry Place: Marengo, IL

   Joined By Whom: CPT COON

   Period: 1 YR

   Muster In Date: 9 Feb 1865

   Muster In Place: Marengo, IL

   Muster Out Date: 30 Sep 1865

   Muster Out Place: Memphis, TN

   Muster Out By Whom: CPT CAMPBELL

   Residence Place: Harrison, Winnebago CO, IL

3. ↑ "United States Civil War Soldiers Index, 1861-1865", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSLV-SZD : 24 August 2021), John M. Atkinson, 1861-1865.
4. ↑ "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP84-RR11 : 3 September 2021), John M Atkinson, 30 Sep 1865; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.
5. ↑ Roster of Nevius Post No. 1, G. A. R., Rockford, Illinois
6. ↑ "Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9L-NJQM : 19 February 2021), John M Atkinson and Mary A Douglas, 25 Jan 1869; citing Winnebago, Illinois, United States, county offices, Illinois; FHL microfilm 1,914,042.
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M64M-SYP : 28 May 2021), John M Atkinson, 1870.
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX23-9TQ : 6 January 2022), J. M. Atkinson, Owen Township, Winnebago, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:66J3-7VWF : 26 January 2022), John M Atkinson, 1900.
10. ↑ Original data: Winnebago County Clerk, comp. Winnebago County Clerk Genealogy Records. Winnebago, IL: Winnebago County Clerk, 2008.

    Name: John M Atkinson

    Death Date: 17 Apr 1937

11. ↑ "Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3G7-9P1 : 8 March 2018), John M. Atkinson, 17 Apr 1937; Public Board of Health, Archives, Springfield; FHL microfilm 1,786,731.
12. ↑ Morning Star (Rockford, IL) 18 April 1937, page 9. GenealogyBank  : accessed 12 January 2022

See also:

• Find A Grave: Memorial #147198159: accessed 12 January 2022), memorial page for John Melvin Atkinson (5 Jul 1845–17 Apr 1937), citing Greenwood Cemetery, Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by KL (contributor 12203516).