Bios:  Maj. D. M. Atkins, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by Mike Miller, Sep. 2001


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Maj. D. M. Atkins.  One of the leading business men of Northern Louisiana, Maj.
D. M. Atkins, banker and cotton exporter, is well qualified to the responsible
position of president of the rapidly growing Ruston State Bank, to which he was
elected in November, 1924, to succeed H. W. Smith, upon the latter's resignation
from the institution.  For many years identified with the leading business
interests of the northern part of the state, particularly those at Arcadia,
his selection met with the unanimous approval of not only the board of directors
and stockholders of the bank, but the public, for his sagacity, his sound
judgment and executive ability are unquestioned.

Major Atkins was born in Claiborne Parish, where his family is one of the best
known, and where his father was for many years engaged in business under the
name of Atkins & Sons.  A brother, F. M. Atkins, of Monroe, is spoken of at
length elsewhere in this work.

Reared by careful parents, Major Atkins was early taught that in service to
others did a man prove his use to his community, and his justification in being
here, and he has never lost that strong sense of personal responsibility.  Until
1919 he was very extensively engaged in business at Arcadia, as a cotton broker,
but in that year came to Ruston and here he has continued in the same line of
business.  As cotton factor and exporter he has built up a business that is one
of the largest in Northern Louisiana, and it is still showing a gratifying
annual expansion that is both natural and healthy.

Major Atkins was married to Mary Theus, and they have one daughter, Margaret
Atkins.  During the administration of Governor Blanchard, Major Atkins served,
with the rank of major, on the staff of that dignitary, and another, Governor
Hall, further honored him in appointing him a member of the Louisiana State
Board of Education.  He is a member of the Ruston Chamber of Commerce, taking an
active part in its deliberations, and it would be difficult to name any
movement, worthy if support. which has not been benefited by his constructive
efforts.

The Ruston State Bank has long been identified with the development of both
Lincoln Parish and Northern Louisiana, and its prestige has been greatly
enhanced by the placing of a man of the standing of Major Atkins at its head.

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A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 350-351, by Henry E. Chambers.  Published
by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.

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