Robert Jones Atkinson (1820-1871) was a Democratic politician from the state of Ohio, United States. He was President of the Ohio Senate in 1854, and was an appointed official in the United States Department of the Treasury 1854 to 1864.

Robert Jones Atkinson
President of the Ohio Senate
In office
January 2, 1854 – January 6, 1856
Preceded byGeorge Rex
Succeeded byRobert Walker Tayler
Personal details
Born(1820-06-20)June 20, 1820
Carrollton, Ohio
DiedFebruary 25, 1871(1871-02-25) (aged 50)
Washington, D.C.
Resting placeGrandview Cemetery, Carrollton, Ohio
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMatilda Jackson
Childrenthree sons, three daughters

Early life and education

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Atkinson was born in Carrollton, Ohio in 1820[1] to Isaac and Hester (Jones) Atkinson.[2]

Career

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He began as a clerk in Carrollton.[2] He was elected to the Ohio State Senate to serve a term starting in 1852. The legislature met for a session in 1852 and another in 1853.[3] He was re-elected, and served in the 1854 session. On January 2, 1854, the Senate elected Atkinson as President pro tem over Wiliam Lawrence by vote of 22 to 7.[4] The Senate adjourned May 1, 1854.[4]

In 1854, Atkinson was appointed Third Auditor of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. He assumed office August 28, 1854 and was not replaced until July 18, 1864.[1][5] In 1866, Atkinson was appointed attorney and counselor to the United States Supreme Court.[1] He died in Washington in 1871.[1][2]

Personal life

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Atkinson married Matilda Jackson of Carrollton, Ohio. They had three sons and three daughters. Two sons were bankers in Montana, and the other worked at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.[2] Robert and Matilda Atkinson are buried at Grandview Cemetery in Carrollton, Ohio. He was a Democrat, a Freemason and a Presbyterian.[2]

Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Library of Congress.
  2. ^ a b c d e Eckley, p. 985.
  3. ^ Taylor, p. 23.
  4. ^ a b Taylor, p. 28.
  5. ^ Poore, p. 227.

References

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  • Taylor, William Alexander; Taylor, Aubrey Clarence (1899). Ohio statesmen and annals of progress: from the year 1788 to the year 1900 ... Vol. 2. State of Ohio.
  • Eckley, H.J; Perry, W.T (1921). History of Carroll and Harrison Counties. Vol. 2. The Lewis Publishing Co. p. 985.
  • Poore, Benjamin Perley (1878). The political register and congressional directory: a statistical record of the Federal Officials...1776-1878. Boston: Houghton, Osgood and Company. p. 227.
  • "Atkinson, R. J. (Robert J.), 1820-1871". Library of Congress. LCCN n95110767.
Ohio Senate
Preceded by
New district
Senator from 21st District
1852-1854
Succeeded by
Herman Canfield
Political offices
Preceded by Third Auditor of the United States Treasury
August 28, 1854 - July 18, 1864
Succeeded by