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 be 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 of 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. |