1925 Biography - D. M. Atkins

Maj. D. M. Atkins. One of the leading business men of Northern Louisiana, Maj. D. M. Atkins, banker and cotton exporter, is well qualified to the responsible position of president of the rapidly growing Ruston State Bank, to which he was elected in November, 1924, to succeed H. W. Smith, upon the latter's resignation from the institution. For many years identified with the leading business interests of the northern part of the state, particularly those at Arcadia, his selection met with the unanimous approval of not only the board of directors and stockholders of the bank, but the public, for his sagacity, his sound judgment and executive ability are unquestioned.

Major Atkins was born in Claiborne Parish, where his family is one of the best known, and where his father was for many years engaged in business under the name of Atkins & Sons. A brother, F. M. Atkins, of Monroe, is spoken of at length elsewhere in this work.

Reared by careful parents, Major Atkins was early taught that in service to others did a man prove his use to his community, and his justification in being here, and he has never lost that strong sense of personal responsibility. Until 1919 he was very extensively engaged in business at Arcadia, as a cotton broker, but in that year came to Ruston and here he has continued in the same line of business. As cotton factor and exporter he has built up a business that is one of the largest in Northern Louisiana, and it is still showing a gratifying annual expansion that is both natural and healthy.

Major Atkins was married to Mary Theus, and they have one daughter, Margaret Atkins. During the administration of Governor Blanchard, Major Atkins served, with the rank of major, on the staff of that dignitary, and another, Governor Hall, further honored him in appointing him a member of the Louisiana State Board of Education. He is a member of the Ruston Chamber of Commerce, taking an active part in its deliberations, and it would be difficult to name any movement, worthy if support. which has not been benefited by his constructive efforts.

The Ruston State Bank has long been identified with the development of both Lincoln Parish and Northern Louisiana, and its prestige has been greatly enhanced by the placing of a man of the standing of Major Atkins at its head.

Contributed 2021 Nov 04 by Mike Miller, from A History of Louisiana, by Henry E. Chambers, published in 1925, volume 2, pages 350-351.