| Adelbert S. Atherton | |
| Birth Date: | 13 October 1850 |
| Birth Place: | Chicopee, Massachusetts |
| Death Place: | Bernardston, Massachusetts |
| Occupation: | Farmer, auctioneer, merchant |
| Party: | Democrat |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 2nd Franklin District | |
| Term: | 1904 |
Adelbert S. Atherton (October 13, 1850 – December 14, 1920) was an American politician from Chicopee, Massachusetts, who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives after being elected to the 125th Massachusetts General Court in 1903.[1] Prior to being a state legislator for the second district, he was initially a farmer, then an auctioneer; and finally a merchant, and owner of a general store.[2] [3]
He was the son of Samuel Hall Atherton and Abigail S. Taft. His father was a farmer.
Atherton was educated in public schools in Franklin County, Massachusetts and attended the Powers Institute.[2]
His civic roles prior to being a state representative were as a moderator at town meetings, and then as selectman.[2] Atherton was elected as a Democratic candidate at a state level. As an elected member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, he was appointed to the committee on agriculture.[4] [5]
Atherton married Milia H. Allen (1857–1936) on November 1, 1876, in Bernardston, Massachusetts.[6] They had 5 children. He became a farmer, in the tradition of his forefathers.[7] He was a trustee of the Powers Institute.
By 1919, he suffered economic troubles and filed for bankruptcy.[8]
He died at the age of 70, in 1920 following a procedure at Farren hospital.[9]
Atherton was a New England descendant of Puritan heritage,[10] whose ancestors had settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony. He is a direct descendant of Major General Humphrey Atherton, via Hope Atherton and Sarah Hollister (1646–1691). His relatives include Samuel Atherton, Ray Atherton, Arlon S. Atherton, Percy Lee Atherton and Walter Atherton.