Bio of ATKINSON, William M. (b.1868), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

WILLIAM M. ATKINSON - Vol II, pg 777
Among those whose activities are important factors in maintaining for 
Minneapolis its prestige as the Flour City is numbered William M. 
Atkinson, who has resided here for twenty-four years and is now president 
and treasurer of the Atkinson Milling Company. He was born in Chicago, 
Illinois, August 26, 1868, and his parents were Richard F. and Helen 
(Melville) Atkinson, the latter a native of Scotland. The father was of 
English parentage and in 1876 he removed from Chicago to Minneapolis, 
where he followed the blacksmith's trade and continued to make his home 
until his demise.

William M. Atkinson was but eight years old when his parents came to 
Minneapolis and his education was acquired in the public schools of this 
city. In 1882 he first became connected with the business which was to be 
his life work, entering the employ of the Washburn-Crosby Company. For 
thirty-two years he worked for that corporation and its subsidiary 
companies and during that period he gained an expert knowledge of the 
flour milling industry. In 1893 he organized the Royal Milling Company at 
Great Falls, Montana, and acted as manager of the concern until 1905, 
when he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he represented the Washburn-
Crosby Company in a similar capacity until 1913. He then laid aside 
business cares for a time, but in 1915 returned to Minneapolis, securing 
property adjacent to the tracks of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railroad Company, in the southern part of the city, on, which he erected 
his present mill. Mr. Atkinson is sole owner of the mill, which has a 
capacity of a thousand barrels of flour per day. He has the practical 
experience and executive force necessary for the successful management of 
this large industrial enterprise.

On the 8th of October, 1894, Mr. Atkinson was united in marriage to Miss 
Grace Marston of Minneapolis, and they have a large circle of friends in 
the city. He is fond of travel and has visited many points of interest in 
this country and in foreign lands. He is a member of the Minikahda Club, 
the Minneapolis Club and the Automobile Club. He is an enterprising 
business man whose integrity has never been open to question and his many 
sterling qualities have gained him a high place in the regard of those 
with whom he has been associated.