ATKINS, Richard 1818-1911

WHITTAKER, SMITH, HACKETT, ATKINS

Posted By: Julie Farland (email)
Date: 6/18/2005 at 19:41:58

Waterloo Evening Courier
Wednesday January 25, 1911
Death Unites Couple Who Were Married For Seventy-one Years
Jesup, Ia Jan 25. (Special)
Richard Atkins, one of the oldest settlers of Barclay township, passed away yesterday at the home of his son, John Atkins, four miles south of Dunkerton.
His death was preceded by that of his wife only a short time ago. The couple had the distinction of being the longest married of any couple in the state. Last Christmas marked their 71st wedding anniversary. The couple were married Dec. 25, 1839, in England. They came to Barclay township in 1869, settling on the farm where the death occurred.
Mr. Atkins, who was 93 years old, was born in Foleshill, Warwickshire, England. He and his wife came to America in the forties and lived in New York until they came to Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Atkins were well known among the early settlers of this section. The husband was a man of quiet and industrious habits, and his wife was a loving companion of more than three score years and ten--a space of time which is far greater than that of the average life.
Five children survive. They are Mrs. Whittaker, wife of Rev. R.B. Whittaker of Dunkerton; Richard Atkins, Mrs. Austin Smith and Mrs. Anna Hackett, all of Waterloo, and John Atkins, on the home farm.
Funeral services will be held at the home Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Christopher Haupt, pastor of the Barclay United Presbyterian church. Burial will be in the new Barclay cemetery.
And thus death has joined this venerable couple who were inseperable so many years in this life.