Cowlitz County WA Archives Biographies.....Atkins, Byron Melvin June 22, 1871 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/wafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 28, 2009, 11:07 am Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company BYRON MELVIN ATKINS. In the development of Washington the Puget Sound Power & Light Company has played a leading part and among its most capable representatives is numbered Byron Melvin Atkins, who has charge of the Kelso district and has devoted the best years, of his life to the service of this important public utility. His musical talent has also made him known throughout the Columbia River valley and he has likewise found time for civic affairs. He was born June 22, 1871, in Rouseville, Pennsylvania, and represents one of the old Dutch families of that state. His parents were Anson Byron and Emma J. (Lowell) Atkins. The father was born in North East, Pennsylvania, in 1841 and when a young man endeavored to enlist in the Union army but was not accepted for military service owing to physical disability. As a driller, owner and operator of oil wells he contributed materially toward the development of that industry in Pennsylvania and "Coal Oil Johnny," a famous oil baron of that day, hauled coal for Anson B. Atkins after he had squandered his riches. In 1879 Mr. Atkins journeyed to Oregon, arriving in Portland on October 1, and later settled four miles north of Independence on the Sol Wood place. This ranch was noted for its Balm of Gilead grove, the trees being three hundred feet in height and standing alone on the prairie. Mr. Atkins passed away in 1914 and Mrs. Atkins passed away in 1918 and both were buried at Cottage Grove, Oregon. Byron M. Atkins was reared on the farm in Polk county, Oregon, attending the Oak Point school during three months of the year, and for two years was a pupil in the high school at Independence. For some time he worked on the home place and then started out in life for himself, acquiring land north of Independence. There he engaged in general farming for two years and next became a hop raiser but abandoned that line of activity at the end of three years. In 1896 he entered the employ of the Independence & Monmouth Water & Electric Light Company and has continued with that corporation and its successors for a period of thirty-two years. The business is now controlled by the Puget Sound Power & Light Company, one of the largest corporations of the kind in the Pacific northwest, and for eighteen years Mr. Atkins has been resident manager of the Kelso district. He has a highly specialized knowledge of the business, as well as the requisite executive force, and his long retention in the office is an eloquent testimonial to the quality of his service. His first duties were those of coal shoveler and for three years he was employed in that capacity by the power company, receiving a salary of twenty dollars a month, while his wife worked in the post office under Marsh Merwin, who was famous in his day. Mr. Atkins was married January 22, 1891, in Independence, Oregon, to Miss Gertrude Fluke, a native of Ohio and a daughter of John and Mary Fluke, who left that state in 1879. It was in the latter year that Byron M Atkins made the trip from San Francisco to Portland on the steamer Oregon and two weeks later Gertrude Fluke left San Francisco on the California, which bore her to the Rose city. Although both families settled in Independence, the boy and girl did not meet until five years later, when both were thirteen. They "kept company" until they were nineteen, when they were married. The Atkins family spent their first night in Oregon at the Norton House in Portland and were forced to sleep on the floor. In 1891 Mr. and Mrs. Atkins went to Portland on their wedding tour and saw the city from a horse car. The streets were muddy and as there were no sidewalks they were unable to get a close view of the Portland Hotel, which was then about half finished, work on the building being at a standstill owing to lack of money. Mr. Atkins is vice president of the local Kiwanis Club and a director of the Kelso Club, whose clubhouse he aided in building. He also belongs to the Cowlitz County Country Club and his wife takes a prominent part in the activities of the Woman's Club of Kelso. His name appears on the directorate of the Chamber of Commerce and he has passed through all the chairs of the Woodmen of the World. For thirty-one years he has been a member of the latter organization and his connection with the Knights of Pythias covers a period of twenty-eight years. In politics he is a stanch republican and during 1920-21 was a member of the original commission that organized the port of Kelso. His taste for hunting was acquired as a boy on his father's ranch and for eleven years duck shooting has been his favorite sport. At an early age he displayed a talent for music, which he wisely cultivated, and soon became an accomplished cornetist. The Independence Band numbered him among its leading members and in 1906 he organized a large band in Corvallis. He also played in the Monmouth Band, directed by Frank Lucas, and in the Salem Band, led by Willis McElroy, who later became one of the noted musical conductors of Portland. During the period of his residence in the Columbia River valley Mr. Atkins has witnessed notable changes as pioneer conditions have been replaced by the advantages and improvements of modern times. On the stage of life he has played well his part, giving his best efforts to every task that he has undertaken, and in the course of a long, useful and upright career he has won and retained the unqualified esteem of an extensive circle of friends. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 776-777 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/cowlitz/bios/atkins32gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wafiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb