Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

alike, and exercised a wide influence.
Though not a seeker for office, he yielded
to the solicitation of his townsmen in fill-
ing local stations. Originality was a
marked feature of his character, he read
much, was a close observor, and was
much above the average of men in mental
capacity and influence. He respected
character in others, and was a strong ad-
vocate of temperance as an influence in
moulding character. Mr. Atkins married,
January i, 1836, Susan Eliza Hale, born
March 5, 1814, in Middlefield, died Octo-
ber 20, 1864, daughter of Joseph and Julia
(Stowe) Hale. Julia Stowe was a daughter
of Joshua Stowe, a very prominent
citizen of Middlefield and Middletown,
twenty years postmaster in the latter
town. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins were the
parents of four children, as follows: i.
Frances, born July 16, 1837, died unmarried
January 30, 1862. 2. Marion, born
September 7, 1841, was married, April 25,
1866, to Leonidas C. Vinal, a druggist of
Middletown, and died February 13, 1869.
3. Osmin, born January 6, i8zJ4, graduated
from Wesleyan University at Middletown
in 1866 and from Columbia University in
1868. He engaged in the practice of law
in New York City, but his health broke
down and, after endeavoring to recuperate
by visiting Florida, Minnesota and other
parts, he died at Middletown Springs,
Vermont, September 17, 1871, and was
buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Middle-
town, Connecticut. He married, July 13,
1868, Cordelia Knowlton of Maine. The
fourth child, Thomas Jefferson, receives
further mention below.
Thomas Jefiferson Atkins, youngest and
only surviving child of Albert and Susan
E. (Hale) Atkins, is a worthy son of a
\yorthy father, whose memory he justly
reveres, was born August 18, 1846, in a
house that stood on the site of his present
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
residence. He inherits the most prominent
characteristics for which the Atkins
family is notable, is well read, and a keen
and intelligent observer of events and an
original thinker. In boyhood he attended
the district school on Long Hill, was
later a student at the celebrated preparatory
school of Daniel H. Chase in Middletown
City and taught school in his
home district. At the age of twenty-two
years, he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota,
where he attended a preparatory class at
the State University and found employment
in a flouring mill and a planing
mill. At the request of his father, he re-
turned to his native place to take charge
of the cultivation of the homestead. Agri-
culture has taken much of his attention,
he has always been accustomed to take
part in the labors of the farm until a very
recent period, when the bulk of the homestead
was rented to a neighbor. Though
he has advanced beyond the allotted years
of man, he is still found actively engaged
in such labors as are necessary about a
country homestead. In 1915 the home
built by his grandfather was taken down,
and he erected on its site a thoroughly
modern house, equipped with every modern
convenience, where he may rest when
fatigued by his activities. He has em-
ployed his leisure in pursuing investiga-
tions of many subjects, as well as peru-
sal of current literature, and is never at
a loss for a topic of conversation with
either the ignorant or the learned. He
despises empty show and upstart pride,
is modest and unpretentious in person,
but ^quick to recognize merit in others.
He is the owner of considerable real
estate outside of Middletown, is a sound
and conservative business man, a shrewd
investor, whose judgment is everywhere
!4
respected. He is a charter member of
Mattabessett Grange, a consistent up-
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