G. F. A. Atherton

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 elect to the 1st Wisconsin Legislature in 1848. He represented the Rock County Towns of Bradford and Janesville[2]

Early life

Atherton was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire,[3] the son of Dr Oliver Atherton (1755-1812) [4] and Abigail Ladd (1765-1828).

In the Assembly

Atherton was a Democrat. He was succeeded in the next session by Anson W. Pope, a Whig.[5]

After the Assembly

Atherton was on the board of directors of the Madison and Beloit Railroad Company [6] when that board voted to change its name to the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company in 1850.[7] He remained on the board through 1854, when a complete reorganization took place. This railroad later became the Madison Division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.[8]

Personal

He served in the U.S. Army and married Ruthy Bartlett as “Major George F. A. Atherton” in Charlestown, New Hampshire on Oct 7, 1818.

His son, George R. Atherton (1824-1910) represented Clinton, in the Tenth Wisconsin Legislature.

Death

He died in Burlington, Iowa on April 23, 1882.[9] He was buried at Aspen Grove Cemetery.[10]

Ancestry

He is a direct descendant of James Atherton,[11][12] one of the First Settlers of New England; who arrived in Dorchester, Massachusetts in the 1630s.

References
  1. "Atherton One Name Study: Entry for George F A Atherton".
  2. "First Legislature of the State of Wisconsin", Wisconsin Democrat June 14, 1848 (EXTRA.); p. 1, col. 3
  3. 1880 United States Federal Census
  4. "Atherton One Name Study - Entry for Dr Oliver Atherton".
  5. "Members of the Wisconsin Legislature: 1848 – 1999". State of Wisconsin. 2007.
  6. Wisconsin (1876). "1850 discussions on railroad".
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990
  10. George F A Atherton at Find a Grave
  11. "James Atherton entry on the Atherton ONS".
  12. "James Atherton of Dorchester settled in Lancaster Massachusetts in 1654".


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