The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-09-30

icksburg. He participated in the campaigns
of 1863 and 1861, being constantly on duty
with his regiment in the field. On Sept. %
1864, he was mustered out as Assistant Sur
geOn and returned home on a brief visit to his
family and friends.
He did not long remain at home, for on th Q
10th of October. after passing an examination
for the position of Surgeon, he was commits
stoned as such, assigned TO the 16Sth Pa, and
mustered into service at Deep Bottom, Va. on
the 18th OF the same month. He remained on
duty with his regiment, and on April ), 1865,
was present at the capture Of Richmond. The
1SSth was retained in service until Dec. 10,
1865, when il was mustered out DIR. Atkinson
was then and for some time thereafter in a
hospital at Danville, Va, suffering from camp
fever and rheumatism of the knee joints. In
February, 1866. he returned home, broken in
health, and so much disabled that he was COM
PEELED to use crutches, and has remained so dis
abled ever since.
After consulting the best medical talent of
the State, and undergoing treatment for two
years which proved ineffective, he was CON-
PEELED reluctantly to abandon the medical pro-
fession and seek some other means of livelihood.
He studied law with Ezra ID. Parker, Esq, of
Mifiiintown, and was admitted to the Juniata
bar in September, 1870. Hon. James III. Ora
ham. then President Judge, was one of his ex-
aminers for admission TO the bar, and was so
favorably impressed with his examination that
he spoke in the highest terms of it; and a
friendship then began between Judge Graham
and the subject of this sketch which was ter
minated only by the death of that venerable
jurist.
Soon after his admission TO the bar Dr. At
kinson secured large practice, and he has been
actively engaged in the practice Of his profess
sion ever since. Always Republican, he has
participated IN every political campaign since
his return from the army, and done good and
effective service in behalf of its candidates. He
has not been a seeker of Office for himself, but
has confined his efforts to the support of other
candidates and the principles of his party, and
no man in Juniata now enjoys larger share Of
the confidence of the people and no man more
fully deserves it.
DR.. Atkinson was elected 10 the 45th Con-
gress, reelected to the 49th, and there is every
reason to believe he will be returned TO the
5Oth. Daring his three years in Washington
he has shown himself to DO an answering
friend to the defenders of the flag. He has
given unremitting attention TO the claims of
the disabled soldiers of his district for pensions,
and has supported every bill for the increase of
pensions to soldiers and their dependent rel
atiyes, and all measures looking toward a
liberalization of the pension laws in the inter-
est of the men who fought for the preservation
of the Union. No Member of Congress visited
the Pension Office more frequently in the in
terest Of his constituents aud none gave claims
more intelligent attention. His medical edu-
cation gave him an advantage in pension claims
that few others had. and his knowledge of the
law enabled him to advocate the interest of his
constituents with marked success. Although
both legs are so disabled that he cannot take a
step without his crutches. he gets around with
wonderful activity. He is a faithful, painstak-
ing Member. and fully deserves the confidence
that the people of the 18th District of Penn
sylyania have placed in him.