'The name of Thomas Clark Atkeson is inseparable from West Virginia agriculture. He was born on the family farm near Buffalo, Putnam County. He received such schooling as was available during the unsettled war times and then enrolled in West Virginia University in 1871 with the intention of studying agriculture. He found that no such course was offered. He took the usual academic subjects for one year and then returned to work on the farm and to write for The West Virginia Agriculturist, a publication which he established. He sold the paper and went to Kentucky to attend Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanical College. After receiving a bachelor of laws degree, he briefly returned to journalism before establishing a law practice in Buffalo. From 1880 he took an active part in work of the grange and in 1891 wrote the law which created the West Virginia State Board of Agriculture. For the next fourteen years he served as President of the Board. One of his first tasks was to recommend to the University Board of Regents that agriculture be taught at the state university. This recommendation was accepted and Atkeson was appointed the first dean of the College of Agriculture when it was established in 1898. Dr. Atkeson’s work in agricultural education was so widely recognized that he was awarded four honorary degrees from other colleges. He was the author of numerous articles and bulletins. His books include Pioneering In Agriculture; Semi-centennial History of the Patrons of Husbandry, Bookkeeping for Farmers and A Catechism of Agriculture with D.W. Working as co-author. Return to Mary Atkeson, 3625 Sixteenth St. N.W. Washington, D.C. Copyright by Harris and Ewing - the above credit line must be printed underneath any reproduction of this photo as required by law. Photo for your use only. Not to be syndicated, rented, or loaned.'
