Surname: Atkins

Biography of Charles Wesley Atkins

History of South Dakota vol 1 title page

Charles Wesley Atkins, born on July 1, 1844, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, moved to Illinois as a youth and attended Wesleyan University at Bloomington. He studied law under Hon. Walter Reeves in Streator, Illinois, and built a successful law practice before relocating to Columbia, South Dakota, in 1882. In South Dakota, Atkins practiced law, became a prominent figure in Brown County, and later pursued farming and stock raising. He owned a 480-acre farm near Columbia and was noted for his contributions to agriculture and livestock. Married to Emma L. Burgess in 1879, Atkins had four children and was active in the Methodist Episcopal church.

History of Hickman Township

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

About ono-third of Hickman township lies on the plateau, which, with the exception of several coulees is level and good farming land; the other two-thirds lie in the valley; the surface rather level. There are several ravines or coulees that emerge from the Coteaus in Sisseton township and run in a westerly direction; one of these coulees crosses sections 12,11, 10, 9 and 8, and on sec. 7 spreads out like a fan, covering three quarter sections of land, making an excellent meadow. This coulee on sec. 11 contained some timber, currants, gooseberries and raspberries, also plum trees. Excellent drinking … Read more

History of Dayton Township

History of Marshall County Dakota title page

Dayton township lies in the northwest corner of the county, and the surface is quite rolling with the exception of an apparent depression or valley, or more properly, there is a low range of hills extending from the southeast corner of the township along the town line, west and then north, with a turn to the northeast, forming a semi-circle; in this semi-circle lies the valley mentioned, which contains the majority of the settlers. An abundance of water is obtained at a depth of fifteen to thirty feet. The soil in the valley is rich and productive, while the hills … Read more