Marvin M. Atherton Page 504-07 Marvin M. Atherton, a distinguished attorney at law of Sparta, Kent county, Mich., was born in Lisbon, Ottawa county, of the same state, September 23, 1869, and is a son of Sylvanus and Malinda (Williams) Atherton, parents of four children. Sylvanus Atherton, the father, who traced his ancestry to the English, was born in Pennsylvania, where he was reared to farming and whence he removed to Ohio, and from there, several years later, came to Michigan; and continued to follow farming in Kent county, and also engaged in mercantile trade in the village of Lisbon. In 1881 he settled in Sparta, Kent county, and here died November 25, 1892, a highly respected citizen; his widow now resides in Sparta, at the home of her son, Marvin M., whose name stands at the opening of this biographical notice. Marvin M. Atherton was primarily educated in the common schools, and after having passed through all the required grades was thoroughly prepared for college, entered the Michigan State Normal school in 1888, and graduated in 1892. In1893 he entered the university of Michigan, the law department of which famous institution he graduated in 1895. He began practice in Detroit, Mich., the same year, gained considerable practice, and in September, 1898, located in Sparta, where he has met with flattering success as a lawyer, and where, also, he exercised the functions of a notary public. Although still in the profession, he is rapidly approaching a foremost place in its ranks, and if the present buds of promise fully fructify, he will stand in the fore front in the near future. Mr. Atherson is a member of Unity lodge, No. 174, Knights of Pythias; is in politics a republican and cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison. Socially he maintains an excellent standing with the best people of Sparta, and is greatly esteemed on account of his many personal merits. Arty Atherton married Miss Susan R. Webb, October 31, 1899. This lady was born in Cass county, Mich., June 8, 1869, and is a daughter of H. J. and Frances (Woods) Webb. She was primarily educated at Cassopolis, and finished her education at the State Normal school of Ypsilanti graduating with the class of 1891.

Contributor: Barb Jones
Created: 16 February 2007