ATHERTON, Thomas M., Jr.

ATHERTON, CHUTE, JENNISON, LEVERS, GILMORE

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 2/3/2011 at 16:36:08

Thomas M. Atherton Jr. was born in Osage, January 3, 1871, and is numbered among the native sons of whom the city has every reason to be proud, for his has been the record of an enterprising and successful business man and of a progres­sive citizen. He was born of the marriage of Thomas M. and Elizabeth J. (Gilmore) Atherton, and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the common schools he continued his education in the Cedar Valley Seminary. Upon the death of his father, October 23, 1891, Thomas M. Atherton, Jr., then a young man of twenty years, took over the management of the Mitchell County Press, which he conducted successfully for twenty years, or until March, 1911, at which time he sold the paper. During this time his brother, Frank G. Atherton was postmaster of Osage and Thomas M. Atherton served as assistant postmaster, holding that position until he was appointed postmaster through the efforts of Hon. G. N. Haugen, who was member of congress from this district. Mr. Ath­erton continued to serve in that position until November 15, 1915, so that the family has for many years been identified with the position of postmaster. During his term of office this was made a second class office and bore the record of doing the largest business of any postoffice of its size in the United States. Following his re­tirement from the postoffice, Mr. Atherton spent part of a year in California and upon his return became connected with F. E. Gardner in the purchase of the hardware business which is now conducted under the firm style of the Gardner-Atherton Hardware Company.

In September, 1891, Thomas M. Atherton was united in marriage to Miss Lulu A. Chute, a native of Osage and a daughter of Frank B. and Emma Chute. Her death occurred in 1895 and on the 29th of November, 1902, Mr. Atherton was married to Miss Mabel L. Jennison, also a native of Osage. They are the parents of two children: Mrs. Harold R. Levers, and Miss Mercedes Atherton, both resid­ing in Osage.

In his political views Mr. Atherton is a stalwart republican. His religious faith is that of the Congregational church, while fraternally he is connected with the Masons, holding membership in the lodge, chapter and commandery at Osage, being a past eminent commander of the last named; in the consistory at Des Moines, and in El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. He is a faithful fol­lower of the craft, loyal to its teachings and recognizing ever the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. He worthily wears an untarnished family name and his own activities have added honor thereto.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 384.