Wilbert W. Atkinson

ATKINSON, PIERCE, PURVIS, WHITE

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 9/10/2004 at 09:34:15

The success of the Truro Lumber Company has been due in part to the business astuteness and energy of Wilbert W. Atkinson, a member of the firm. He was born in Warren county, Ohio, on the 16th of December 1863, a son of G W. and Phoebe (Pierce) Atkinson. The father was born in Ohio, of Scotch-Irish descent, and the mother was also a native of that state but came of Yankee lineage. He was a graduate of the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, and for sixteen years practiced medicine at South Solon, Ohio. His marriage occurred in that state and his family accompanied him upon his removal to Madison county, Iowa, location being made two miles southwest of Truro. The father purchased a farm there and gave the greater part of his time to agricultural pursuits as the state of his health prevented him from practicing medicine to any great extent. He passed away upon the farm in March, 1889, having survived his wife for about two years.

Wilbert W Atkinson attended the district schools of Ohio until he was thirteen years of age and then began earning his own living. He worked as a farm hand for a time and after the removal of the family to Iowa assisted his father with the operation of the homestead in this county. In 1895 he accepted a position as yardman in the lumberyard of William Steer at Truro and worked in that capacity for five years. At the end of that time he purchased an interest in the business, the firm name being the Truro Lumber Company. In June 1907 Mr. Steer sold his interest to C. W. Sweezy and in 1909 Mr. Atkinson bought the interest of Mr. Sweezy, becoming sole owner of the plant. On the 10th of October, 1910, a disastrous fire occurred which destroyed all of he rough and planed lumber sheds, in fact everything except the ready made stock on hand and the office. M.r Atkinson then sold an interest in the business to O. N. Archer, the name of the Truro Lumber Company being retained, however. The concern conducts a general lumber business and also handles coal and cement and buys and sells grain for the Talbot Grain Company of Osceola, Iowa. Mr. Atkinson has been connected with the lumber trade for many years and understands its every detail. Upon leaving his father's farm in this county he obtained work in the planing mill of Gotschall & Martin in Des Moines and found the work so interesting that upon returning to Truro he sought employment in Mr. Steer's lumberyard as before stated, and from that time to this has devoted his energies to the lumber trade. His success has been gratifying but it is merely the natural result of his thorough knowledge of everything relating to lumber his natural aptitude for business and his strict adherence to the principles of honesty and integrity.

On the 21st of January, 1891, at west Liberty, Iowa, occurred the marriage of Mr. Atkinson and Miss Hattie B. Purvis, a daughter of John M. and Adaline (White) Purvis, both born in Morrow county, Ohio, the father at Cardington. Both came of Scotch-Irish descent and inherited the splendid traits of character usually associated with that race. They were married in Ohio but came to Iowa in an early day in the history of this state, locating in Muscatine county, where the father purchased land from the government. He continued to operate his farm until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1873, but later removed to West Liberty, where he passed away in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Atkmson have become the parents of six children: Harold, who was born June 6, 1893, and is at home; Lucile, born January 21, 1896, also at home; Dorothy, born February 27, 1902, who is attending the Truro high school; John whose birth occurred September 13, 1905, and who is in school; Richard, born November 29, 1909; and Pauline, who died when three years of age.

Mr. Atkinson is a prohibitionist and is under all circumstances loyal to his belief and convictions. For three terms he served as mayor of Truro and under his administration the affairs of the municipality were ably and conscientiously conducted. He is now secretary of the township school board and it is largely to his credit that advanced steps have been taken in the public-school system. Both he and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal church of Truro and have aided in the spread of its influence. Fraternally he is connected with both the Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges in Truro. He devotes his energies to the building up of his lumber business and also does some contracting in builders' supplies. He is a substantial business man and is highly thought of in his community.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”