THE
VALLEY OF HEART's DELIGHT
santaclarareserch.net
W. W. ATKINSON
Bio-Sawyers
SURNAMES: KRIETZ, PARKINSON,
W. W. ATKINSON, San Jose Township
is a native of Clark County, Ohio, born near Springfield, December 19,
1834, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Krietz) Atkinson. His
father was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and his mother in
Virginia. The father learned the saddler’s trade in Pennsylvania, but
followed farming in Ohio. He was murdered in 1837, while on his way to
Illinois. In 1843 the family removed to McLean County, Illinois and
there the mother remained until her death. W. W. Atkinson remained in
McLean County until 1852, and on the fourth of April of that year he
left with a party of seven, in two wagons, for California. They crossed
the Missouri River at St. Joseph, and joined a large party westward
bound. On the second of September he arrived at Ione, Amador County,
and obtained a situation bailing hay. He worked at odd jobs, and on
contracts, for four years, and the money thus earned he invested in
lands. In 1864 he bought a threshing-machine, which was the first
brought into that portion of the State. In 1865 he purchased another
one, and for nine consecutive years he operated one each in Nevada and
California. He closed that branch of business, but continued farming
until 1862, when he bought the Florence Mills at Ione, changed the name
to Bloomington Mills, and made extensive additions and improvements, at
an expense of from $6,000 to $8,000. He operated the mills until he
came to this county. He also put $10,500 cash in a mercantile firm, but
his partner failed, and he canceled the indebtedness, coming out of the
ordeal a loser by $45,000! He also owned two ranches , of 720 and 150
acres, respectively. In April, 1887, he purchased sixty-five acres of
land in San Jose Township, and moved upon it in September following.
This tract is at the corner of King Avenue and Tully road. He also has
fifty-five acres in the Fillmore tract, and twenty-five acres on First
Street. He is making extensive and commendable improvements.
Mr. Atkinson was married, at Antioch, California, October 25, 1882, to
Miss Alice Parkison, a native of Wisconsin. They have one child, Robert
Orville. Politically Mr. Atkinson is a Prohibitionist. He was for many
years School Trustee of Hudson School District, in his old county, and
was the business man of the Board. He is a member of Ione Lodge, No.
80, A.F.& A. M.; Ione Lodge NO., 51, I. O. O. F. and Marble
Encampment, No. 19, Ione.
SOURCE:
Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County,
California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago:
The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. - page 608 - Transcribed by Carolyn
Feroben
SANTA CLARA COUNTY HISTORICAL BIOGRAPHY PROJECT