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Atkins, William Avery, 1879-

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1879 - 1958

Biographical Information

William Avery Atkins was born in Indianapolis on July 7, 1879. He graduated from Indianapolis High School in 1897 and Purdue University in 1901. As a student at Purdue University, he was a member of Sigma Chi, Irving Literary Society, Mandolin Club, Glee Club, and served as class president from 1898-1899. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.

Based on correspondence, it is believed that he married Suemma Vajen Coleman in 1907. She died on April 16, 1924, shortly after the birth of their child. The William H. Coleman Hospital was dedicated in her memory. Atkins later married Mary Helen Sayles.

Atkins was superintendent at the E. C. Atkins Company, owned by his father. He was a joint owner of the Spencer Hotel in Indianapolis from 1909 and took over ownership in 1940. He also was a lessor of the Hotel Severin and Indiana Parking Garage.

He died of a stroke December 18, 1958.

Citation:
William Avery Atkins, Indiana University Archives. Retrieved July 1, 2010. http://www.indiana.edu/~libarch/Personal/053pers.html

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

William A. Atkins collection

 Collection — Communal collections box 3, Placement: 06
Identifier: MSA 45
Dates: 1887 - 1901
Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

William A. Atkins papers, addition 01

 Unprocessed Material — Multiple Containers
Identifier: 2026-077
Dates: 1898 - 1945
Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections

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Unprocessed Material 1
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Black-and-white photographs 1
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Field notes 1
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Postcards 1
Purdue University -- Alumni and alumnae 1
Purdue University Mandolin and Glee Club 1
Scrapbooks 1
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