James Oscar Atkinson Collection

Early and Later Years and Family: * J.O. was born in Wake County, NC on April 20, 1867 (3:13) * His parents were George Washington Atkinson and Mary Jones Atkinson (3:13) * J.O. had a sister-her married name was Mrs. John Davis, but J.O. referred to her as "Sister Mamie" in his letters (3:7). She was born December 30, 1873 in Apex, NC * J.O. had a brother Moses and a brother E.B. Atkinson (3:7) * J.O. married Emma Williamson of Driver, VA in the early 1890s (3:7, 5:3). They had four children together (3 girls and 1 boy), and Emma had been a student at Elon in the early 1890s* J.O. married Emma Williamson of Driver, VA in the early 1890s (3:7, 5:3). They had four children together (3 girls and 1 boy), and Emma had been a student at Elon in the early 1890s* J.O. married Emma Williamson of Driver, VA in the early 1890s (3:7, 5:3). They had four children together (3 girls and 1 boy), and Emma had been a student at Elon in the early 1890s* J.O. married Emma Williamson of Driver, VA in the early 1890s (3:7, 5:3). They had four children together (3 girls and 1 boy), and Emma had been a student at Elon in the early 1890s* J.O. married Emma Williamson of Driver, VA in the early 1890s (3:7, 5:3). They had four children together (3 girls and 1 boy), and Emma had been a student at Elon in the early 1890s * J.O. had a cousin named Rev. J.E. Franks (3:7) * J.O. had an Aunt Net Sorrell (3:7) * J.O.'s grandfather was named Moses Atkinson (3:7) * J.O.'s father came to North Carolina from Isle of Wight County, VA (3:7) * J.O. died at St. Leo's hospital in Greensboro, NC at 5:15AM on July 2, 1940 from a deadly disease he had been battling (3:13, 8:7) * Former President of Elon College, Dr. Leon Edgar Smith preached at Dr. Atkinson's funeral which was held in Whitley Auditorium on July 3, 1940 at 3pm. He was then buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Elon/Burlington, NC (8:7) ** See 8:5 for a more detailed list of Dr. Atkinson's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren ** See 5:28 for a description of J.O. Atkinson that was written by his children Education/Career: * J.O. graduated from Wake Forest College in 1890 (3:13) * He received a Master of Arts from Harvard University in 1893, where he studied religion and philosophy (3:13) * Served as editor for the Christian Sun publication from May 2, 1924-July 1, 1936 (3:13, 8:6, 8:7) * Member of Elon College's original faculty, and taught when the school first opened in September of 1890 (3:13) * Served on Elon College's Board of Trustees from 1914-1940 (8:7) * Served as Dean of the faculty from 1903-1905 (8:7) * While teaching at Elon, he taught in the departments of Latin and Greek, political economy and sociology, and psychology and ethics (5:14) Church Affiliations: * J.O. served as the pastor of Elon College's church from 1897-1917 (8:7) * J.O. worked diligently for the welfare of the Afro-Christian Convention and other African American schools in Franklinton, NC (Franklinton Christian College) (8:7) * He helped plan the merger of the Congregational and Christian Churches in 1931 (8:7) * J.O. was ordained a minister in 1893 (5:14) * In 1917, the Southern Christian Convention created a Secretary of Missions position in which Dr. Atkinson served until his death in 1940 (5:14) * J.O. made it a priority to attend district gatherings, rallies, meetings, etc. of women's church organizations (5:14) * J.O. had a close connection with African Americans-he would preach at their churches, he loved to hear them sing, and he helped them to sing on the radio (5:28) Awards, Honors, Memberships, etc.: * J.O. authored a book titled Preparing the Teacher...(3:13) * Awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity from Elon College in 1910 (8:7) * Served on the Board of Trustees at UNC-Chapel Hill and at the North Carolina School for the Deaf * Member of the Mission Board of the American Christian Convention from 1918-1935 (8:7) * Served on the American Board Conference of Foreign Missions (8:7) * Mentioned in the book Who's Who in the Clergy (8:7) * Member of the Home Missions board, starting in June of 1907 (end date unknown) (8:7) * Staley-Atkinson-Newman Memorial Foundation was established in 1943 to support Christian Education at Elon College and honor three men who were dedicated servants of the Church (Dr. Atkinson being one of the three men). This Memorial Foundation was also the first effort to strengthen the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Elon College (8:9) Biographical Sources: Mss.Coll.#026 (Series/Folder#'s) 3:7, 3:13, 5:3, 5:14, 5:28, 8:5-8:7, 8:9