Bio: Albert Atkins, Bienville & Claiborne Parish, Lousisiana Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890 Submitted by Gaytha Thompson 540 May Drive Madison TN 37115 LaFamTree@aol.com ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ************************************************ HON. ALBERT LA FAYETTE ATKINS Hon. Albert La Fayette Atkins is so well known throughout this region, that his name is familiar to all. He was born in Claiborne Parish of this State, September 13, 1850, being one of the following named children born to his parents: Seleny (wife of T.E. Bailey, a cotton planter of Claiborne Parish), Mille R. (wife of J.B. Walker, is an agriculturist of Claiborne Parish), M.M. (deceased), W. A. (a farmer of Claiborne Parish) Albert La Fayette, Cordelia (wife of W.G. Barnes, a druggist and planter of Claiborne Parish), Joshua T. (who died at the age of three years, ten months and nine days) and Millard W. (who is a successful agriculturist). The father of these children was born in Giles County, Middle Tennessee in 1818, and throughout life followed agriculture as a means of livelihood, and speculated in real estate in which he accumulated a handsome fortune. He passed from life on September 12, 1884, but is survived by his widow, who has attained the advanced age of seventy-three years. Albert La Fayette Atkins was given the advantage of a complete common school education, and has always been a pronounced friend of educational institutions of all kinds. He devoted his odd moments to reading and study, and is what the world terms, a self made man, as is indicated by his marked success as a business man. When eighteen years of age he began cotton planting for himself, but soon launched out as an attorney at law, and commenced reading under Gen. John Young, who is a well known barrister of Homer, La. He then went to Texas, and completed his law course, there receiving his diploma to practice. He then returned home for a rest, but on account of injury to his eyes, caused by hard study, he was persuaded to relinquish his chosen profession, and he at once embarked int he commercial world as a general merchant in Athens, La., in 1873, under the well known name of Simmons & Atkins. He purchased Mr. Simmons' interest one year afterward, and remained at this place until January 1, 1885, when he came to Arcadia, of which place has been the leading merchant and prime motor of all worthy enterprises, which have given it a more important place among the commercial cities of Northwestern Louisiana. He is associated with Mr. P.C. Wideman in the proprietorship of a fine general stock of goods, and owing to their pluck, enterprise, and honorable dealing they have, in the five years they have been in Arcadia, built up an excellent reputation throughout Claiborne, Bienville, Union, Lincoln, Jackson, Winn and Natchitoches Parishes. Their annual sales have been almost phenomenal and amounted to $175,000 during 1889. Mr. Atkins is one of the most extensive cotton purchasers in Arcadia, which place, it would be well to state, is the third principal cotton mart in the State of Louisiana, the purchasers for Atkins & Co., buying one-third of all the cotton coming to the city. Mr. Atkins is the president of the Arcadia State Bank, which was organized September 15, 1800. The other officers are William Miller, vice president; J.F. Talbert, cashier, and the following directors; J. M. Colvin, F. M. Thornhill, John D. Anderson and G. W. Robertson. Their paid up capital amounts to $30,000, and their authorized capital $50,000. Mr. Atkins was married October 5, 1876, to Miss Ella Marsalis, who was born in Louisiana, in 1860, by whom he has six children. Alvin (who died at the age of eighteen months), Darius (aged eleven years), Prentiss (aged nine years), Rookh (aged six), Clay (aged three), and a baby daughter. Mr. Atkins has always been a Democrat, and his official career was commenced in 1876, as a member of the police jury, but in 1879, he was elected to the State Legislature from Claiborne Parish, a position he filled with credit for four years. He is now directing his energies to his extensive business interests in Claiborne and Bienville Parishes. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Master Mason, being also a member of the K. of P. order. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are highly honored residents of this section. He owns some 5,000 acres of land besides his large mercantile interests, the management of which keeps him constantly employed. He is the honored president of both the Male and Female Colleges of Arcadia, and is the president of the board of education, having held the chair for the last four and a half years. He is one of the five trustees of the town council, and is president of the Louisiana Land Company which was incorporated by the State laws with a capital of $100,000. It is incorporated under a regular board of directors. He is also president of the board of trade of Arcadia, and in numerous other ways he has taken a prominent and leading part in her interests and enterprises, no man int he parish more so, and for this as well as for other things he is honored by all who know him.