Charles Humphrey Atherton

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Charles Humphrey Atherton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Hampshire's At-large Congressional district
In office
March 4, 1815 – March 3, 1817
Preceded by Samuel Smith
Succeeded by Nathaniel Upham
Member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives
In office
1823–1839
Personal details
Born (1773-08-14)August 14, 1773
Amherst, New Hampshire, U.S.
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Amherst, New Hampshire, U.S.
Resting place Old Cemetery
Amherst, New Hampshire
Citizenship US
Political party Federalist
Spouse(s) Mary Ann Toppan Atherton
Relations William Gordon
Children Charles Gordon Atherton
Alma mater Harvard University
Profession Lawyer
Politician
Farmer
Banker
Religion Unitarian

Charles Humphrey Atherton (August 14, 1773 – January 8, 1853) was an American lawyer, banker and politician from New Hampshire. He served as a United States Representative from New Hampshire and as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives during the early 1800s.

Early life

Born in Amherst, New Hampshire, Atherton was the son of Joshua and Abigail (Goss) Atherton.[1] He graduated from Harvard University in 1794,[2] and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.[3] He was admitted to the bar in 1797 and started practicing law in Amherst.[4]

Career

He served as register of probate for Hillsborough County from 1798-1807.[5] Elected as a Federalist candidate to the United States House of Representatives in the Fourteenth United States Congress, he served in Congress from March 4, 1815 to March 3, 1817.[6] He declined to run for reelection in 1816 and instead served as a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives from 1823-1839. A prominent figure in the local Unitarian movement, he later helped establish The Christian Society in Amherst.[7]

After leaving the State House, Atherton resumed the practice of law and was one of the founders of the Hillsborough County Agricultural Society. He was president of the board of directors of the Farmers' Bank when it was formed in 1825 and served during the existence of the corporation. He was a member of the New Hampshire Historical Society,[8] and was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1815.[9]

Death

Atherton died in Amherst, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, on January 8, 1853 (age 79 years, 147 days). He is interred at Old Cemetery in Amherst, New Hampshire. He had accumulated one of the largest estates ever left in Amherst.[10]

Personal life

On October 30, 1803, Atherton married Mary Ann Toppan.[11] They had seven children, and their son Charles Gordon Atherton was a United States Senator.[12][13] Atherton's brother-in-law William Gordon was also a U.S. Representative from New Hampshire.[14]

References

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  9. American Antiquarian Society Members Directory
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External links


United States House of Representatives
Preceded by United States House of Representatives Seat 2 Of New Hampshire's At-large congressional district
1815—1817
Succeeded by
Nathaniel Upham