"James H. Atkins, a well-known resident of Hurricane Township, Cleveland County, Ark., was born in Lincoln County, Ark., January 19, 1857, being a son of Newton and Frances (Owen) Atkins, who were born in Mississippi. THe father died in Drew County, Ark., when James H., was a small lad, but the mother is still living and is now the wife of Rev. J. B. Searcy, of Hope, Ark. They were married in Arkansas, and the father was a farmer and merchant by occupation, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in his political views a Democrat. He and wife became the parents of two children: James H. and William N. (who is an educator of note, and is now at the head of Hope Female Institute, Hope, Ark). James H. Atkins spent his school days in Warren College, and after leaving this institution he began farming on his present property, and is now the owner of 310 acres of land with about 130 acres under cultivation. On January 19, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Allie M. Childress, a daughter of Thomas Childress, of Bolivar County, Miss. She was born in 1861, and to her union with Mr. Atkins a family fo three children have been born: Annie May, Jamie and Docia. Mr. Atkins and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat, and is one of the wide-awake and enterprising young man of the county. His property has been acquired through his own exertions, for on starting out in life for himself it was without means. In addition to managing his farm he has been engaged in ginning cotton for the past fourteen years, his mill being fitted up with all the latest improved machinery." (Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Southern Arkansas - Goodspeed Publishing Company - Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis - 1890)