Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-05-10
political reform. lie was very active
in both matters.

political reform. lie was very active
in both matters.
Mr.. Atkinson's Death
Mr.. Atkinson died at his home, 41OG
Locust street, early this morning, after
ten days illness from bronchial pneu-
monia.
Mr., Atkinson IS survived by three
children. Miss Elizabeth A. Atkinson.
Mrs. Emily y. Ellis, wife of Colonel
Thomas Biddle Ellis. assistant director
Of public safety. and Miss Gertrude At
kinson by his wife. who was a daugh-
ter of Samuel Allen. once sheriff of
Philadelphia. and by two sisters and
two brothers, Mrs. Emma T.. Smith.
Lambertville, N J. Mrs; Mary Anna
Jenkins. Gwynedd. Pa. !; Albert Atkin-
son. Amber. Pa. and James .. Atkin-
son. Three Tuns. Pa.
Mr.. Atkinson would have been eighty
years old on June 13. He was the son
of Thomas and Hannah Quinby Atkin-
son. and his ancestors came over on the
ship Welcome with William Penn. Mr..
Atkinson received his early education
at Joseph Foulke's boarding school at
Gwvncdd. and was graduated Mt Free
land Seminary. Montgomery county, in
1858.
Enlisted During Civil War
q In 1862. MIR. Atkinson. with Howard
NJ. Jenkins. of Gwynedd. his brother
in law. purchased the Norristown Re-
publican. which they ran successfully
for about year and then sold, when
Mr.. Atkinson enlisted. in 1863. in the
Wissahickon Cavalry, part of the Nine
tcenth Cavalry Regiment. a little later.
Mr.. Atkinson enlised in Company q.
10th Volunteer Infantry, and became
a lieutenant
In 1866. Mr.. Atkinson. in partner
ship with Mr.. Jenkins. founded the
first daily paper in Delaware, the Will
mington Daily Commercial, which Is
now the Wilmington Every Evening.
In 1877. Mr.. Atkinson moved to Phil
adelphia. and founded the Farm Jour
nal. the first year having something like
12. 900 circulation a month. Mr.. At
kinson lived to see his paper go all
over the United States. reaching more
than 600 .O0O farmers monthly. To
know his subscribers, Mr.. Atkinson fire.
quently took long driving trips, and his
horse and buggy were a familiar sight
to thousands of his subscribers in all
sections.
Advertising Authority
In 1880. Mr.. Atkinson originated the
first fair play notice, a guarantee Of ad-
vertising which was the forerunner or
the present movement of the Associated
Advertising Clubs Of the World, to give
readers more confidence in advertising.
Mr.. Atkinson not only founded the
Farm Journal. but became president of
the Wilmer Atkinson Co.. and was
editor of the paper until 1917, when he
became editor emeritus, passing over
the active editorial direction of the
paper to his nephew. Charles +. Jenkins.
who had been associated with the Will
mpr Atkinson Co. since 1884.
During his later years. Mr.. Atkin-
son was deeply interested in many pub
lie questions. He was president of the
PENNSYLVANIA Mems League for Woman
Suffrage. He was deeply interested in
good roads. better transportation ia
cilitics and all public questions in which
farmers were concerned. About two
weeks ago Mr.. Atkinson completed his
autu Biography.
The funeral will be held from his
home on Wednesday afternoon, at .
o clock.
Robert Smiths Death
Robert Smith. who was manager Of
William H. Wanamaker's store, died
suddenly. He was apparently in good
health when he left this city early yes
terday morning Tor New 1OrR ana had
intended to return to Philadelphia last
night. He was fifty two years old.
Mr.. Smith lived at 2346 Reed street.
He was Ware leader of the Thirty
sixth ward and was chairman Of the
highway committee of the old city
councils. He was also Ware candidate
to be alternate delegate to the Re
publican national convention.
As boy he entered the employ OF
Wanamaker & Brown thirty eight
years ago. and became the head of one
of the departments. Later he became
identified with William II Wanamaker.
at Twelfth and Market streets. When
the latter firm moved to 1.11-1O Chest
nut street. Mr.. Smith was made man
ager.
He was 32d degree Mason. an Elk
and a Shriner. His widow. Mrs. Eta
Smith. is i'll from shock at the news of
his sudden death.