ATHERTON, Sanford A.

ATHERTON, Sanford A. (Orleans Co., VT, Sept. 4, 1839--Dubuque, IA, Apr. 11, 1900). Atherton came to Dubuque in 1866 and entered the coopering business in 1868. He managed the KEY CITY BARREL COMPANY employing between fifty and one hundred men who manufactured two thousand barrels per week. (1) He sold out his interest in 1880 when he was made manager and treasurer of the DUBUQUE OMNIBUS COMPANY. (2)

Atherton's local activities were both political and social. In 1896, Atherton, Williard H. TORBERT, D. C. Glasser attended the Republican convention. (3) He joined a group of men and several musicians including Mayor Berg who serenaded the newsroom of the Herald in 1898 upon receiving word of Admiral Dewey's victory at Santiago in the SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. (4) As survivor of the CIVIL WAR was one of many asked to attend 1899 Memorial Day activities at a Dubuque public school. He was assigned to Fulton. (5) The same year, he was elected chairman of a committee established to welcome soldiers home from the Spanish-American War. With several others, he was also a member of the program committee. (6) His experience may have led to him serving on the GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G. A. R.) encampment committee in 1891. (7) He was also an early participant in BASEBALL history in the city.

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Source:

1. Oldt, Franklin. History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880, p. 762-763

2. Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1894, p. 202

3. "Personal," The Dubuque Herald, June 14, 1896, p. 8

4. "A Great Victory," The Dubuque Herald, July 15, 1898, p. 8

5. "Veterans Will Speak," The Dubuque Herald, May 28, 1899, p. 8

6. "Reception Planned," The Dubuque Herald, May 4, 1899, p. 8

7. "Committees for the Camp," The Herald, February 1, 1891, p. 8