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Biographical sketch of ALLAN ATKINS from the book entitled, "Biographical Memoirs of Saint Clair County, Michigan," published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Publishers in Logansport, Indiana.
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This bio spans three (3) pages: 240-242
ALLAN ATKINS
Homes and villages have sprung up on every hand since this gentleman first saw St. Clair county in its primitive wildness and beauty; forests have disappeared before the stroke of the ax wielded by the strong arm of the woodman; farms, with fertile, well tilled fields, fine orchards, comfortable buildings and all the adjuncts of civilization have taken the place of he tangled wilderness which sheltered numerous beasts of prey and at no very remote period, the painted savage. The music of traffic, mingled with the notes of ceaseless industry, make melody where once the solitudes were broken at intervals by the scream of the ferocious wild animal or disturbed by the symphony of the breeze, the dirge of the winter storm, or the first blasts of the terrible tornado.
Allan Atkins, one of the pioneers of St. Clair county and a late resident of Clyde township, was born September 8, 1808, about four miles from Glascow (sic) at Cambuslarg, Scotland, and died November 27, 1902. He was the son of David and Margaret (Wiley) Atkins, both of whom were of Scotch nativity, he being born at Leeds Hills and she at Ayreshire. In the old country David Atkins was a merchant and also took part in one of the wars, being connected with the commissary department during his period of service. About 1809 or 1810 he came across the water and located at Sombre, Canada, where he obtained a grant of land from the government. This grant was made because of the part he took in the McKenzie rebellion and in order to reward him for his service. Subsequently he came to St. Clair county and located on a farm where Marine City now stands, where he died. His first wife died and a short time afterward he married a second time. By his first marriage he was the father of eight children: John, deceased, who settled in Canada about 1830; James, also deceased, was a cotton manufacturer in Scotland; Ella lived and died in Canada; Alex, a farmer, died in Clyde township; William was also a farmer in Clyde township; Daniel, who was a British soldier, died in the East Indies; Allan, and Margaret, who married John Davidson, lived in Clyde township. By his second marriage he was the father of the following children: Eleanor, David and Sarah. When Daniel Atkins came to America he brought only part of his family with him, leaving the younger members with some of the relatives in the old country, and at the time of his death he was living with one of his sons who had accompanied him from their native land.
The subject’s mother having died when he was a very small boy, he made his home with his brother John, in Scotland, until he was nineteen years old, and during his residence in the country of his nativity he learned the trade of a weaver. May 28, 1828, he left Scotland on a sailing vessel bound for America and in the following August arrived in Quebec, Canada. He did not tarry in Quebec, but went directly to Montreal, where he obtained employment in the ship yards, remaining there a short time. Leaving Montreal, he next went to Brockville, Ontario, being employed on the Riduan canal, and after a brief sojourn in that place he went to Ottawa. Here he was no better satisfied than at previous places and he soon left Canada and came to the United States, settling in Hartford, New York. Here he worked at different occupations for a short time and then returned to Montreal, where he visited his brother John, who had reared him. At the end of his visit he did not return to New York, but went to Port Lamton, where he remained until 1830, when he came to St. Clair county and located at Wadhams. While in Wadhams Mr. Atkins and his brother Alex worked for several months for W. R. Gooding, getting out shingle lumber. During his stay in Wadhams the subject purchased a piece f land, which he later sold to his brother and then returned to Canada, where he remained for about a year. While in Canada he was employed in clearing and getting out lumber and in time saved enough money to buy a tract of eighty acres in section 3, purchasing it of James Gordon and Solomon Kingsley. When he came into possession of this farm it was only partially cleared and was in a part of the country destitute of roads, but nothing daunted he set to work to clear the place and to erect a log cabin, which was accomplished much sooner than could be expected. From time to time as he prospered he added more land to his original possession, until he owned four hundred acres of land, of which there are two hundred acres cleared and improved.
In August, 1835, Allan Atkins was married to Miss Agnes Young, who was born in Scotland and who was a daughter of David and Margaret (Miller) Young, her parents never coming to Camerica. To this union eight children were born, Barbara, the wife of John Brigham, a leading attorney of Bay City; Daniel, deceased, was a farmer in Grant township; Elizabeth; David, who farmed the home place, is single; Margaret, deceased, was the wife of B. Smith, of Clyde township; Allen B. is a farmer in Clyde township; Agnes is the wife of Rev. Fred E. York, pastor of the Congregational church in Grand Rapids, and Marion Helen, deceased. David Atkins has always lived at home and has for many years taken entire charge of the farm, being his father’s manager and right hand man. He was educated in the schools of Clyde township, carries on general farming and makes a specialty of small fruits and of registered shorthorn cattle, horses and hogs. His hay and grains are always marketable and his other products are in demand. He has for some time been a buyer and shipper of cattle and hogs and this with his other interests gives him very little time for pleasure. He has taken some part in the political action of his community and was supervisor of Clyde township from 1891 to 1902 and for six years was township treasurer. His support has always been given to the Republican party, which counts him one of its strongest members. He is also very prominent in the Maccabees lodge and has for some time been active in the lodge affairs. At present he holds the position of county superintendent of the poor, being also the supervisor of the county farm
The subject’s wife died eighteen years ago, after which he and his son lived alone on the place. Allan Atkins was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith from 1845 until his death and was one of the best known men in the county. He was in the early days a believer in Democratic principles, but in later years changed his doctrines and became a Republican. He was never very active in political affairs, but was always a student of political questions. Death came to him while he was apparently in his usual health, the machinery of life simply becoming worn out.
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PLEASE NOTE: I do not have any personal interest in researching the ATKINS surname or the St. Clair county, Michigan location. I am merely posting a select number of the biographical sketches found in the above-referenced book *upon specific written request* as a service to the genealogical community; these transcriptions are intended for personal use and are not being done for profit. Please do not contact me with regard to research interests in the above as I have no personal ties. Thank you.
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