Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-07-20
The FIrst west va. LegIsIature.
SENATE-
Sketches Personal. Political and BIZ
=. ographical.
JOHN H. ATKINsON,
By AN OBSERVER


( Mr.. Atkinson is a small man, well pro-
portioned and very active. His hair is
dark, almost black, and very thick, as are
also his whiskers, which he wears in con-
siderable profusion, adding something to
the good lookslof his pleasant face. His
eyes are very large and full, standing out
prominently from their sockets; are of q
brown color, and when directed at you,
you are likely to know it. His nose is
straight and not large; mouth medium;
forehead high, smooth and well formed
In short his features are regular, and the
entire expression of his countenance is ex-
ceedingly peasant; one sees ut n glance
that he is good-natured, handsome and
smart; but he would have II more pleasing
general appearance if his eyes were not SO
prominent, though this may be q delusion
of the writer. He ia nmarried man.
He was born in Licking county, Ohio
on the 7th day of January, 1920, but re-
moved TO Hancock county, Virginia, at the
age OF seven, where he has ever since re-
sided. His ancestors for three generations.
were Virginians. He was engaged for a
number of years in teaching, and was sub
sequently Clerk of the Courts in Hancock
county for four years. During the last
fifteen years he has been engaged in the
manufacture of fire brick, having large
trade in the South, and by means of the
rebellion lost heavily in that directiOn-R
sum indeed that would have been n small
fortune; but by steady application 10 his
own business, and letting other peoples
alone, he has, to a great extent retrieved
his losses. sasi
He was an old line Wing, and is now
straight line Union man, ardently desiring
restoration of the Union, in which he has
full faith. He was President of the Wheel
ing Convention which appointed the Elnc-
tOral ticket for Mr.. Fremont, and subse-
Yuently voted for him, and at the last cleo
ton for Mr.. Lincoln.
Being in Louisiana at the time that State
pretended to secede from the Union, he
was mournful witness of the scene which
presented itself when the flag of the revolt
erS WAS swung from the State Capitol; felt
tue 1Iron Hand" of the secession vigilance
committse, and saw with sorrow aud not
without anger the brutal and indiscrimi-
nate assaults upon, and insults to, nll
Northern men; bat these accufsed acts on
~ served to draw from him that sacred
vow, made by every true Union man, that
his efforts against the power of the revolt
cd States should never cease until the old
flags hall float in triumph over every foot of
United States soil.
Mr.. Atkinson was member of the ever
memorable convention which assembled
in Wheeling on the 18th day of June, 1861,
and which dared to defy the combined
power of Letcher and Davis.
He is member of the Presbyterian
church, but whether he wears the "blue
stockings" this dePopent knoweth not, bnt
he looks like he kept the faith.
His present position as one of the Sena.
tors for the district of Ohio, Brooke and
Hancock, offered without solicitation,
was accepted Mt a great sacrifice of pecn-
mary interests, but with determination
to serve the cause, not himself He is
Chairman of the Committee on Education,
and expresses great interest upon that sub
joct, and desires to perfect system offree
schools, which in coming years shall be
the glory of West Virginia,