W. L. Atkins, M.D. Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by Frances Ball Turner, Dec. 1997


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History of Louisiana by Chambers
Vol. II pg. 46

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W. L. Atkins, M.D. A native of Louisiana, member of a prominent family of
Claiborne Parish, Dr. W. L. Atkins had just competed his medical training
when America entered the World war, and for two years his service was as a
medical officer in the home training camps and overseas.  Since returning
to his native state he built up an extensive practice and a well justified
reputation as a skilled physician and surgeon at Arcadia, and the spring of
1925 located in Shreveport.

Doctor Atkins was born at Athens, in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, in 1893,
son of M.W. and Eva Lulu (Knox) Atkins.  His mother died in January, 1924.
Millard W. Atkins has spent the greater part of his life in Claiborne
Parish, where he acquired extensive interests as a planter and at time
represented the parish in that State Legislature.  In 1919 he removed to
Shreveport, but since the death of his wife has again returned to his
former home at Athens.  Millard W. Atkins had a brother, the late A.L.
Atkins, who for many years was one of the largest merchants in North
Louisiana, his business headquarters being at Arcadia.

Dr. W.L. Atkins finished his literary education at Arcadia, which for many
years has been noted for the excellence of its schools and educational
facilities.  He studied medicine in the University at Louisville, where he
was graduated Doctor of Medicine in 1916.  During 1916-17 he remained as a
member of the resident staff of interns in the Louisville City Hospital.

In the spring of 1917 he volunteered for service with the United States
Army Medical Corps, was trained at the Medical Officers' Training Camp at
Camp Greenleaf, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, and was commissioned a first
Lieutenant.  He was assigned to duty in the Ambulance Company of the
Thirtieth Old Hickory Division, which was stationed at Camp Sevier,
Greenville, South Carolina, until it went overseas June 4, 1918.  Doctor
Atkins saw active service in the Somme offensive and at various points on
the British front at Flanders, and his division became famous for its part
in breaking the Hindenburg line.  After the armistice he was called to
further duties with the American Red  Cross in the Balkan states, where he
helped to battle a typhus epidemic.

Doctor Atkins after returning home received his honorable discharge in
August, 1919, and for the past five years has had a busy practice as a
general physician and surgeon.  He is a member of the Bienville Parish,
State and American Medical associations.

He married Miss Margaret Kouns Agurs, member of a family that was among the
first settlers of Greenwood, in Caddo Parish.  Doctor and Mrs. Atkins have
one daughter, Maggie Belle Atkins.

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