Sentinel in Elizabeth City; studied law and was licensed in 1859. Although opposed to secession, yet when the State actually embarked in the war, he felt it to be his duty to share her fortunes, and so entered the Confederate service as a private, but was soon made a First Lieutenant in the Eighth Regiment N. C. Troops. He was in the battle of Roanoke Island, where he was taken prisoner. After his exchange he was appointed Captain of his company, and subsequently promoted to be Major of the 66th Regiment where he served on the coast defenses in North and South Carolina, and Georgia, until his resignation in 1864. He had been elected to the Senate, from the first Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Perquimans and Pasquotank in Aug. 1862, and was re-elected in 1864. In July 1865 he was appointed by President Johnson Superintendent of the Mint at Charlotte; but being unable to take the test oath he was prevented from filling that position. In December of that year he was Private Secretary of Gov. Worth; at the close of which service he was elected Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State, which elevated position he now holds. He is a prominent member of the order of Odd Fellows and has been M. W. Grand Master, and held the highest honor of the order in his State. He married (March 1st 1866,) Adelaide, daughter of Gov. Worth, for whose biography see Randolph County.
PERSON COUNTY.
General Henry Atkinson, of the U. S. Army, born 1802, died 1842, was a native of this county. He was appointed a Captain in the 3rd Regiment of Infantry, 1808; Colonel of 45th Infantry, 1814, and a Brigadier-General 1820. He was a gallant and active officer and commanded the Western Army at the defeat of the Sioux Indians, and took their celebrated Chief, Black Hawk, prisoner near Bad Axe River, 2d August, 1832.
He died at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, 14th June, 1842. His brother, Richard Atkinson, was a Member of the Legislature from Person County, from 1807 to 1820, except 1815-'16. Like his distinguished brother, he was of military tastes, and was Colonel of a North Carolina Regiment in the war with the Creek Indians, in 1815-'16. He died in Person County on 3rd December, 1821.*
* Dictionary of Am. Biography
by Thomas S. Drake, Boston, 1872.
Edwin Godwin Reade, son of Robert and Judith A. Reade, was born November 19, 1812, at Mt. Tirzah, in Person County, in which county he has always resided. His father died while he was a child, and his early advantages were few.
His mother's means were limited, but she was a wise, christian woman and guided her sons, of whom she had three, with much care.
Edwin was liberally educated by Rev. Alexander Wilson, D.D. Studied law under Benjamin Sumner; obtained his license to practice in 1835, and practiced with profit and honor. In
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