Atherton, Gilbert H.

Collection — Container: Pastor 2

Identifier: KUMA-02-4541

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Folder 1. Certificate recommending Gilbert Haven Atherton to admittance on trial to Ft. Scott disrict of M.E. Church. Signed J. H. Price, presiding elder, and E.J. Gardner, secretary. [Undated, but probably 1903]

Dates

Other: Dummy Date

Creator

Atherton, Gilbert H. (Person)

Biographical or Historical Information

Gilbert Haven Atherton was born in Prairie City, Illinois, on June 24, 1877. According to one source, his parents may have been Rev. Aaron S. and Mary Sanders Atherton of Nevada, Missouri. G. H. is mentioned as living in Nevada, Missouri, before attending college. He was accepted on trial to the South Kansas Conference in March 1903; in that same year (in June) he received his B.A. from Baker University. He was assigned to Westphalia in the Ottawa District, where he served from 1903-1905. His other appointments included Crestline (1905-1906), Mulberry (1906-1907), Madison (1907-1908), Benedict (1908-1910), Fulton (1910-1912), and Beulah (1912-1914). Rev. Atherton married Mary Abigail Atherton, a distant relative (and the daughter of Rev. Charles Atherton; see related materials), on June 3, 1903, during a Kansas flood year. An anecdote about their wedding appears in the Times (Clay Center, Kansas) of June 11, 1903 (see transcription under "Other Information".) Their children were: Abigail Floyd (b. Sept. 10, 1904), John Gilbert (b. Sept. 12, 1906), Joseph Haven (b. August 31, 1908), Eva May (b. July 3, 1910), James Sanders (b. Jan. 30, 1913), Charles LeRoy (b. November 22, 1914), and Ralph M. (born 1920). Rev. Atherton is listed as being of Supernumerary status beginning in 1914. The Alumni Record of Baker University lists him as residing in Girard, Kansas, in 1917. Rev. and Mrs. Atherton also appear to have lived in Baldwin City, Kansas, later in their lives; Mrs. Atherton's father, the Rev. Charles Atherton, was living with them in Baldwin when he died in 1924. Rev. Gilbert H. Atherton passed away on September 18, 1951, and is buried in Topeka Cemetery. His wife Mary (1879-1972) is buried at his side. His name does not appear in the conference index of memoirs.

Note written by Sarah St. John

Extent

1.00 folders

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains information regarding Gilbert H. Atherton, an M.E. minister who served several churches in the South Kansas Conference from 1903-1914.

Related Materials

Gilbert Atherton was married to his distant relation Mary Abigail Atherton, who was the daughter of another M.E. minister, Rev. Charles Atherton, whose information is also in this collection.

http://www.bakeruarchives.com/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=1627

Other Descriptive Information

From the Times (Clay Center, Kansas) of June 11, 1903: “A FLOOD ROMANCE. – Water-Hemmed Lovers at Manhattan Conclude to Marry. – Many amusing and interesting experiences have come under our notice since the flood, one of which deserves particular mention. Gilbert Haven Atherton of Nevada, Mo., and Miss Mary Atherton of White City, who went to Clifton several days ago to attend the wedding of Miss Atherton’s brother, are stopping at the Hotel de Porter, owing to the high water and lack of trains. Now, these young people are sweethearts, and invitations are already out for their wedding which was to take place next week at the bride’s home in White City. But, wing to the fact that the young people will not be able to reach home in time for the wedding as announced, they decided to be married here, and the ceremony will take place at 6 o’clock this evening in the parlor of the Porter house, the Rev. J. K. Miller officiating and the guests as witnessing. Mr. Atherton is a student at Baker university, from which institution he would have received his diploma this week. He will shortly enter the ministry. Miss Atherton is the daughter of a minister in White City and is a charming little woman. – Manhattan Mercury.”