David was a son of Mary ( Ross) and Boaz Atherton. He was born on February 9, 1818 in Freeport, Harrison County, Illinois.

David married Miss Mary Lady. To this union were born seven children.

1840 United States Federal Census about David Atherton :
Name: David Atherton
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Noble, Morgan, Ohio
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 2

1850 United States Federal Census about David Atherton :
Name: David Atherton
Age: 31
Birth Year: abt 1819
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1850: Noble, Morgan, Ohio
Gender: Male
Family Number: 272
Household Members:
Name Age
David Atherton 31
Mary Atherton 28
James Atherton 8
Martha Atherton 6
Finley Atherton 5
Mary Atherton 0

1860 United States Federal Census about David Atherton :
Name: David Atherton
Age in 1860: 42
Birth Year: abt 1818
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1860: Vermont, Fulton, Illinois
Gender: Male
Post Office: Ipava
Household Members:
Name Age
David Atherton 42
Mary Atherton 38
James Atherton 18
Matha A Atherton 15
Finley B Atherton 14
Mary E Atherton 11
Nancy J Atherton 8
Sarah L Atherton 5
Charles S Atherton 2

U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865
about David Atherton :
Name: David Atherton
Residence: Illinois
Enlistment Date: 28 Jul 1862
Rank at enlistment: Private
State Served: Illinois
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company B, Illinois 84th Infantry Regiment on 01 Sep 1862. Mustered out on 08 Jun 1865.
Sources: Illinois: Roster of Officers and Enlisted Men

David Atherton enrolled for service 28 Jul 1862 at Ipava, IL. On 1
Sep 1862 he was mustered into Co. B 84th Regt., Illinois Inf. at
Quincy, IL, served as a nurse in a convalescent Camp at Nashville, TN;
in Sep 1862 at Chattanooga nurse at Field Hospital, 3 Brig, 1 Div. 4
IL. Continued as a nurse throughout the war, mustered out 8 Jun 1865
at Camp Harken, TN.

1870 United States Federal Census about David Atherton:
Name: David Atherton
Age in 1870: 53
Birth Year: abt 1817
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1870: Bernadotte, Fulton, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Bernadotte
Household Members:
Name Age
David Atherton 53
Mary L Atherton 48
Martha Atherton 26
Mary Atherton 20
Nancy Atherton 18
Isadore Atherton 14
Charles Atherton 12
Irvin Atherton 3
Nellie Atherton 6

1880 United States Federal Census about David Atherton:
Name: David Atherton
Age: 62
Birth Year: abt 1818
Birthplace: Ohio
Home in 1880: Vermont, Fulton, Illinois
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Mary Atherton
Father's Birthplace: Pennsylvania
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Occupation: Farmer
Household Members:
Name Age
David Atherton 62
Mary Atherton 58
Mary Atherton 30
Lewis Atherton 8
Effa Atherton 7m
Eva Atherton 7m

U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 about David Atherton :
Name: David Atherton
Cemetery: Quaker Cemetery
Cemetery Location: Macomb, Illinois