John D. C. Atkins
(June 4, 1825 — June 2, 1908) Atkins was a businessman and politician. John De Witt Clinton Atkins was born in Henry County, Tennessee in 1825. He graduated from East Tennessee University at Knoxville in 1845, after which he studied law and was admitted to the bar. However, Atkins did not practice law, rather, he entered the agriculture business. He served in the State House of Representatives from 1849 to 1851, and in the State Senate from 1855 to 1857. Atkins served in the United States House of Representatives for the first time from March 4, 1857 to 1859. During the Civil War, he enlisted in the the Confederate Army and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was also elected to the Confederate Provisional Congress in 1861 and served until 1863. After the war, Aktins was again elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives and served from March 4, 1873 to March 3, 1883. After serving in Congress, he returned to Tennessee and continued working in agriculture.
[Source: “Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 - Present,” available at https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/A000327]
Member of
Tennessee Delegation - The Civil Rights Act of 1875
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