Born:  June 17, 1833, Hartford County, Connecticut

Died:  April 18, 1901, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana

Buried:  Crown Hill Cemetery 

Wife #3:  Sarah Frances Parker Atkins

Born:  July 26, 1837, Massachusetts

Died:  1920, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana 
Buried:  Crown Hill Cemetery 

    The earliest representative of the Atkins family in America emigrated from England in the sixteenth century, and settled in New England.  From his son Benoni was descended Rollin Atkins, father of the subject of this biographical sketch, whose birth occurred in Bristol, Conn.  He was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Bishop, of the same city, and had children,--George R., Ellen (Mrs. Volney Barber), Harriet (Mrs. Lyman Smith), Mary Ann (deceased), Marietta (Mrs. Henry Stevens), and Elias C.  The last named the youngest of the number, was born June 28, 1833, in Bristol, Conn.  His early education was confined to a period of three years at the grammar-school, after which, at the age of twelve, he was apprenticed to the trade of saw manufacturing, and continued thus employed until his seventeenth year.  His thorough knowledge of the business and mechanical genius immediately caused his promotion to the position of superintendent of the establishment.  His evenings were devoted to study and reading, the lack of earlier opportunities having inspired a desire to improve such advantages as later and more favorable circumstances offered.  He was, at the age of twenty-two, married to Miss Sarah J. Wells, of Newington, Conn., where family were of English extraction.  One daughter, Hattie J., was born to this marriage.  Mrs. Atkins' death occurred April 11, 1863, and Mr. Atkins was a second time married, to Miss Mary Dolbeare, of Colchester, Conn., who died March 11, 1865.  Their only child was Willis D., whose death occurred Aug. 30, 1865.

    Mr. Atkins, desiring a wider field of usefulness than was opened in New England, removed in 1855 to Cleveland, Ohio, and established the first saw-manufactory in that city.  One year's experience convinced him that the saw industry could be developed under more favorable conditions in Indianapolis, and, disposing of his interest, he removed to the latter city in 1856, and developed the first and largest manufatory of saws in the State.  Beginning with limited capital and the employment of but a single hand, the enterprise has increased to such proportions as to utilize the labor of one hundred and twenty men and furnish its products to a large area of territory in the Northwest and other points.  Much of the machinery used in the various departments of the mill is the invention of Mr. Atkins, and protected by patents.  He has also engaged extensively in mining operations, having organized the Hecla Consolidated Mining Company of Indianapolis, with mines situated in Montana, of which he was for seven years general agent and for two years superintendent, with his residence at the mines.  During this time all purchases and sales of products was made by him, and the profitable development of the property the results of his personal attention and financial ability.  He also purchased seven additional mines, which are at present the most productive interests of the company.  Other mining enterprises in which he is interested have proved equally successful.

    Mr. Atkins is in politics a Republican, but without ambition for office, his time being exclusively devoted to his various business pursuits.  Both he and his wife are members of the First Baptist Church of Indianapolis.  Mr. Atkins was a third time married to Miss Sarah Frances Parker, daughter of Rev. Addison Parker, of Newton Centre, Mass.  The children born to this marriage are Mary Dolbeare, Henry Cornelius, Sarah Frances, Emma Louisa, and Carra Isabel.  These children, with Miss Hattie J., constitute the present family of Mr. and Mrs. Atkins.

    In 1867, Farley & Sinker, son of E. T. Sinker began making saws on the corner of Pennsylvania and Georgia Streets, and carried it on successfully till Mr. Sinker went back to the machine-works on the death of his father.  Mr. Farley then, or soon after, opened up the same business on the east side of South Meridian Street, just below the Eagle Machine-Works.  Henry Westphal & Co. are in the same business on the same street, farther south, and Barry & Co. occupy the old establishment on Pennsylvania and Georgia Streets.

    Files were made for a number of years by Steinbauer & Drotz on Pennsylvania Street, near the Union Railway tracks, but recently the proprietors seem to have gone into the coal business and abandoned file-making.  

Sulgrove, B. R., History of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, 1884, pgs. 469-470.