City: Dyersburg
ATKINS, James Wiley, county official; born Dyer Co., Tenn., Feb. 22, 1873; English and Scotch-Irish descent; son of James A. and Lavenia Ruth (Tipton) ATKINS; paternal grandparents, James M. and Emiline (Ballard) ATKINS; maternal grandparents Wiley B. and Ruth B. (Allen) TIPTON; educated local schools Dyersburg, Tenn., graduated from high school June 1890; began life as a bookkeeper, later became Deputy Clerk of the County Court and was afterward appointed Clerk and Master of the Chancery Court of Dyer Co., Tenn., which position he now fills; member Cumberland Presbyterian church, B. P. O. E., being Past Exalted Ruler, member of Forked Deer Club; Democrat; many times Secretary of the Co. Committee; former chairman of Senatorial Committee, also Chairman of Congressional Committee; was member of the National Guard of the State of Tenn., for three years.
