To Grant Co., In 1854. Farmer

Joseph L. Atkinson was a native of Greene County, Ohio. His parents, Cephas P. and Rebecca (Dial) Atkinson, were natives of Pennsylvania and North Carolina, respectively. The former, Cephas P. Atkinson, was born near Harrisburg, Pa., August 19, 1793. His parents were Thomas and Alice (Phillips) Atkinson and were also natives of Pennsylvania, where they resided until their deaths. They were the parents of David, Charles, John and Cephas P., the father of our subject. Cephas P. Atkinson was the second born. He, when a young man, came to Greene County, Ohio, and purchased land and engaged in farming and brick making. He was married in Clermont County, Ohio, October 31, 1819, to Rebecca Dial, who was born in North Carolina, November 15, 1799, and came with her parents, Shadrach and Nancy (Horney) Dial, to Clermont County, Ohio, in about the year 1804. after Cephas Atkinson's marriage he settled in Greene County, Ohio, and from there in 1853, to Grant County, Indiana. He settled in Monroe Tp., where he remained until his death, which occurred the first of May, 1862.
Nine children were born to Cephas and Rebecca Atkinson: John Dial, Martha, David, Joseph L., Jane, Cephas, Shadrach, Rebecca E and Deborah.
Joseph L. Atkinson was married in Clinton County, Ohio, October 2, 1853, to Alice, daughter of John and Jane (Leach) Atkinson (a cousin). She was born in Pennsylvania, September 12, 1828. In February of 1854, they moved to Grant county, Indiana, and settled on the farm where they lived until they died, section 29, Monroe Tp.
Joseph lost his first wife in death August 2, 1863 and was again married to Elizabeth Oren, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, the daughter of Jesse ad Elizabeth (Evins) Oren.
He fathered ten children: Thomas L., David W., Rebecca E. and Rosetta by his first wife. Jesse M., Louisa, James L., an infant son, Mariah, and Alvah J. by his second wife.
Mr. Atkinson was a highly esteemed citizen and well respected by all who knew him. He was intelligent, enterprising and a self-made man and one of Monroe Twonships well-to-do farmers.


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Obituary: Atkinson, Joseph, age 82, died yesterday. Surviving:
David J., James and T.L., sons; Mrs. Maria Fisherback, Mrs. Charles Sherron & Mrs. Louise Woodward (sp), daughters. (NT 15 Nov 1909)