Biography of Edgar W. Atkinson, pages 491/492. History of DeKalb County, 
Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914.

Edgar W. Atkinson

	This subject of biography yields to no other in point of interest 
and profit.  It tells of the success and defeats of men, the difficulties 
they have encountered and gives an insight into the methods and plans 
they have pursued.  The obvious lessons therein taught will prove of 
great benefit if followed, and the example of the self-made man should 
certainly encourage others into whose cradle smiling fortune has cast no 
glittering crown to press forward to nobler aims and higher ideals.
 	Edgar W. Atkinson, who enjoys marked prestige in DeKalb county as 
a leading member of the legal fraternity, and who is now numbered among 
the enterprising public-spirited citizens of Auburn, was born at Beverly, 
Ohio, on February 21, 1877, and is the son of Joseph and Hannah M. 
(Ludman) Atkinson.  Mr. Atkinson spent his boyhood days on the home farm 
at Beverly, attending the common schools until sixteen years of age. At 
the age of fourteen years he had taken an examination for teacher’s 
license and had received his certificate.  Continuing his studies two 
years longer he then began teaching and at the age of twenty he secured 
a first-class certificate for five years and rendering him exempt from 
examination.  A year or two later he took an examination to teach algebra, 
physiology, physics and chemistry, receiving certificates in those 
subjects.  He followed the vocation of teacher for seven years, and 
then, aspiring to higher and wider fields of usefulness, he attended 
Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he pursued 
classical studies and also the law course, graduating from that 
institution in June, 1903.  Mr. Atkinson then came to Auburn and with 
a classmate named John Stafford formed a partnership and they began 
the active practice of law.  A year later Mr. Stafford returned to his 
home in Kentucky and thereafter Mr. Atkinson practiced alone until 
June, 1906, when he became deputy clerk of the DeKalb circuit court, 
holding this position until December 1, 1908.  He then formed a law 
partnership with W.W. Sharpless and for fifteen months they maintained 
a law office at Garrett, Indiana.  On March 1, 1910, Mr. Atkinson 
returned to Auburn and he formed a partnership seven days later with 
Dan M. Link, with whom he has continued in the practice. The story of 
Mr. Atkinson’s life is an interesting one, showing a determination to 
succeed that would brook no obstacles and a spirit of industry that 
was deterred by no amount of work, elements that were bound to insure 
success in any undertaking.  While in the clerk’s office Mr. Atkinson 
was frequently employed from seven in the morning until ten at night 
studying law at every leisure moment and learning by memory every case 
on the docket.  He was of a disposition that enabled him to avoid 
antagonism and he made warm friends of practically every fellow member 
of the bar.  His removal to Garrett was with a definite idea in view 
and he returned to Auburn with the same definite plan before him.  
Farsighted, keen and sagacious, he always aims to be sure that he is 
right and then, when so assured, he boldly goes ahead in the performance 
of his duty, regardless of outside opinion or criticism.  Messrs. 
Atkinson & Link have been engaged in much of the important litigation, 
which has been tried in the local courts, including many cases venued 
to this court from other counties, and they have been uniformly 
successful in their practice.  Mr. Atkinson is careful and thorough in 
the preparation of his cases and prompt in the handling of them, and 
because of the careful observance of professional ethics and his 
courtesy to the other members of the bar he is held in high esteem by 
his colleagues. In the public life of the community Mr. Atkinson has 
shown a commendable interest, giving his earnest support to every 
movement calculated to advance the best interest of his fellows, and 
because of his genial disposition and unassuming manner he has endeared 
himself to all who know him.
	On June 23, 1908, Mr. Atkinson married Mary E. Rose, the daughter 
of Judge James E. Rose and Mary F. Rose, and to this union have been 
born a daughter, Virginia Rose, and a son, Joseph Edward.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com