Robert Henry Atkinson was born between 1825 and 1830 in Ballingarry, Ormond Lower, north County Tipperary, Ireland, the son of Charles Atkinson. He married Caroline Midgley, the daughter of Benjamin Toy Midgley and his 1st wife, Bedelia, on 20 Sep 1848 in Parsonstown (also called Birr), King's County (later called County Offaly), about 8 miles northeast of Ballingarry. At the time of their marriage, Robert, a farmer, was recorded on the Griffith's Valuation, leasing house, buildings and 96 acres from his father, Charles Atkinson.
Robert, Caroline, and their daughter, "Eliza" (Alicia), born at sea, arrived in New York, New York on 12 Mar 1850 on the ship Excelsior. They settled in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, about 950 miles northwest of New York City. Per U.S. census records, Robert and Caroline had 11 children.
Caroline's brother, Edward T. Migley; her father, Benjamin; her stepmother, Margaret P. (Cuthbert) Midgley; and half-siblings, Cuthbert and Clarinda, also immigrated to Fond du Lac.
During the U.S. Civil War, Private Robert H. Atkinson enlisted in the 21st Wisconsin Infantry, Company H, on 15 Aug 1862, served almost three years, and was mustered out on 13 May 1865. It was the same regiment as his brother-in-law, Sgt. Edward T. Midgley, who was killed in action just a few days later on 19 Mar 1865 at the Battle of Bentonville in North Carolina. Caroline's half-brother, Private Cuthbert T. Midgley, also served, but he fought in another regiment, the 37th Wisconsin Infantry, Company F.
22 years later, Robert, aged 54, died of diabetes on 28 Sep 1884 in Fond du Lac, and was buried there in Rienzi Cemetery. At his side was buried his wife Caroline, who died of consumption 6 years later on 31 Oct 1891, aged about 61, in Fond du Lac.
Findagrave Contributor: Joan Stewart Smith (4883709)
Death Record
Robert H. Atkinson, white, male, 54 yrs, born 1830, died 28 Sep. 1884, of diabetes, in Fond du Lac, buried in Rienzi, signed E.F. Dodge, M.D., Fond du Lac, 13 Feb 1885
Source: Wisconsin, U.S., Death Records, 1959-2004. Ancestry.com. Registration of Death, No. 100. [Note: Ancestry.com incorrectly transcribed the death date as 18 Sep 1884.]
Death Announcement
"Robert H. Atkinson, a well known old resident of Fond du Lac, died on the 28th ult, aged 59 years."
Source: Green Bay Advocate, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Thu, Oct 9, 1884, Page 3
Robert Henry Atkinson was born between 1825 and 1830 in Ballingarry, Ormond Lower, north County Tipperary, Ireland, the son of Charles Atkinson. He married Caroline Midgley, the daughter of Benjamin Toy Midgley and his 1st wife, Bedelia, on 20 Sep 1848 in Parsonstown (also called Birr), King's County (later called County Offaly), about 8 miles northeast of Ballingarry. At the time of their marriage, Robert, a farmer, was recorded on the Griffith's Valuation, leasing house, buildings and 96 acres from his father, Charles Atkinson.
Robert, Caroline, and their daughter, "Eliza" (Alicia), born at sea, arrived in New York, New York on 12 Mar 1850 on the ship Excelsior. They settled in Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, about 950 miles northwest of New York City. Per U.S. census records, Robert and Caroline had 11 children.
Caroline's brother, Edward T. Migley; her father, Benjamin; her stepmother, Margaret P. (Cuthbert) Midgley; and half-siblings, Cuthbert and Clarinda, also immigrated to Fond du Lac.
During the U.S. Civil War, Private Robert H. Atkinson enlisted in the 21st Wisconsin Infantry, Company H, on 15 Aug 1862, served almost three years, and was mustered out on 13 May 1865. It was the same regiment as his brother-in-law, Sgt. Edward T. Midgley, who was killed in action just a few days later on 19 Mar 1865 at the Battle of Bentonville in North Carolina. Caroline's half-brother, Private Cuthbert T. Midgley, also served, but he fought in another regiment, the 37th Wisconsin Infantry, Company F.
22 years later, Robert, aged 54, died of diabetes on 28 Sep 1884 in Fond du Lac, and was buried there in Rienzi Cemetery. At his side was buried his wife Caroline, who died of consumption 6 years later on 31 Oct 1891, aged about 61, in Fond du Lac.
Findagrave Contributor: Joan Stewart Smith (4883709)
Death Record
Robert H. Atkinson, white, male, 54 yrs, born 1830, died 28 Sep. 1884, of diabetes, in Fond du Lac, buried in Rienzi, signed E.F. Dodge, M.D., Fond du Lac, 13 Feb 1885
Source: Wisconsin, U.S., Death Records, 1959-2004. Ancestry.com. Registration of Death, No. 100. [Note: Ancestry.com incorrectly transcribed the death date as 18 Sep 1884.]
Death Announcement
"Robert H. Atkinson, a well known old resident of Fond du Lac, died on the 28th ult, aged 59 years."
Source: Green Bay Advocate, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Thu, Oct 9, 1884, Page 3
Family Members
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
