In the spring of 1857 James and Louisa Atkinson came to the prairies of central Kansas and settled in a camp on Clarks Creek, in Clark's Creek Township; here they built their first home, a log cabin.

With an only brother S.H. Atkinson, as an only neighbor, the nearest neighbor, excepting this brother was fifteen miles distant. Council Grove was the nearest trading point; and at that time the supplied at that point were limited, as all had to be freighted from West Port, Missouri.

The first few years the living for the family was mainly procured from the rifle; buffalo, deer, wild turkey and prairie chickens being the supply of meat, as domestic meat was not to be had at that time.

In this little log cabin, on the claim in Clarks Creek Township, Charles Wesley Atkinson was born September 7, 1859, being the second white child born in Morris County. Here he was reared, and here he spent his entire life; it is not often that one lived in one community as he did, for so long a time, and at his death, have it said, as it was of him, that no one ever heard an unkind work spoken of him. He was one of Morris County's progressive farmers, till compelled by sickness to leave the farm, the last few years of his life were spent in Latimer.

On February 26, 1889, he was united in marriage to Anna Louisa Owen; to this union ten children were born, Maey, Lawrence, Mabel, Wilber, Elmer, Affie, Vera, Sudie, Everett and Anna. Of these Affie and Anna have preceded him to the beyond, his wife having preceded him to the other world August 17, 1919.

He was converted to the Christian religion and united with the Baptist Church in 1883; his was an exemplary Christian life. He departed this life November 13, 1923 at the age of sixty-four years, two months and six days.

The funeral services were conducted from the Baptist church in Latimer, in charge of Rev Curt Burton, from Lenora Oklahoma, a cousin of the deceased. Interment in Clarks Creek Cemetery. The esteem in which the deceased was held was testified to by the unusually large attendance at the funeral, the church not being large enough to accommodate more than one half of those present and the large beautiful floral offerings.

Charles Atkinson died Tuesday evening, November 13 and was laid to rest beside his wife, Friday afternoon at the Clark Creek Cemetery. It was on of the largest funerals ever held in Latimer. It was Mr. Atkinson's request for Rev Kirt Burton to preach his funeral and Geo. Mitch to sing, "Will the Circle be Unbroken". The Modern Woodmen of America camp No. 9587 attended the funeral services in a body as it was his wish that all member of this organization accompany him to his last resting place, which was granted. Pallbearers being the oldest of the camp; Sam McVey, Cyrus Huxtable, Will Tatlow, Joe Bealer, Will Murray and Charley.