James Atherton (died 1879)

James Atherton (May 6, 1819 – March 4, 1879)[1] was a 19th-century Massachusetts businessman, a boot and shoe manufacturer, and a leather merchant.

James Atherton
Portrait of James Atherton
BornMay 6, 1819
Stoughton, Massachusetts, US
DiedMarch 4, 1879
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Occupation(s)boot and shoe manufacturer and a leather merchant
Spouses
Phebe Reed
​
(m. 1831⁠–⁠1868)​
    Mary Marshall
    ​
    (m. 1841⁠–⁠1880)​

    Early life

    He was born on May 6, 1819. The son of Samuel Atherton (1784–1877) [2] and Abigail Pope (1786–1868).[3] His father was a farmer and a prominent citizen of Stoughton, Massachusetts.

    Atherton is a direct descendant of Major General Humphrey Atherton.[4]

    Samuel Atherton House, Stoughton, Massachusetts - The family home

    Career

    Atherton established J&W Atherton, a boot and shoe manufacturer in Boston, in partnership with his younger brother William Atherton (1821–1891). In 1852 he entered into a partnership with his older brother Samuel Atherton and Caleb Stetson[5] At the time, “Atherton, Stetson and Company”, dealers in leather, were one of Boston's most successful business. His brother, William, also entered into this partnership. Atherton suffered poor health most of his life and he retired from the business in 1867.[6]

    Personal

    He married Phebe Reed (1831–1868) and had 3 children who died at the age of 37 when her youngest son, Walter was just five years old. He then married Mary Marshall (1841–1880), just a year later.

    His sons, James and William [7] were both successful businessmen, involved in banking. His youngest son was the Boston architect, Walter Atherton.

    He was uncle to the celebrated US Composer, Percy Lee Atherton and Massachusetts politician and philanthropist, Frederick Atherton.

    He died on March 4, 1879, and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery, Stoughton, Massachusetts.[8]

    Biography
    • Hamilton Hurd, D. (1884), History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with Biographical Sketches of many of its Pioneers and Prominent Men, J. W. Lewis & Co, pp. 414–418

    References
    1. "Atherton One Name Study - Entry for James Atherton".
    2. "Atherton One Name Study - Entry for Samuel Atherton Sr".
    3. Charles Henry Pope (1888). A History of the Dorchester Pope Family. 1634-1888: With Sketches of Other Popes on England and America and notes upon several intermarrying families. ISBN 9780598999054.
    4. "Atherton One Name Study - Major General Humphrey Atherton - ancestor of James Atherton".
    5. New England Historic Genealogical Society (1908). "Memorial Biographies of the New England Historic Genealogical Society".
    6. "Stoughton History Society. Biography of James Atherton (1819-1879)".
    7. "William Atherton (1859-1921), Banker and President of the Industrial Aid Society, Boston. Son of James Atherton".
    8. "James Atherton death". Boston Post, March 6. 1879.
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