Biography of Robert S. Atwell
FROM OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
A DESCRIPTIVE AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
OF SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK
PREPARED AND PUBLISHED UNDER THE
AUSPICES OF THE SARATOGIAN
THE BOSTON HISTORY COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 1899
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Atwell, Robert S., was born in Milton township, January 23, 1830. His father was a preacher in the M. E. church
and a practicing physician. one who believed in curing spiritual as well as physical ills. Robert S. was carefully
educated in Hinsdale and Pittsfield (Mass.) institutions, later studied medicine with Dr. Mott of Schuylerville
and attended medical lectures at the medical school at Castleton, Vt., but was, through ill health, obltged to
leave before finishing the course. He came to Schuylerville and after recovering his health engaged in mercantile
business in connection with his brother, R. N. Atwell, in 1850. In 1851 he started the Battle Ground Herald, a
weekly paper at Schuylerville. and continued as editor and proprietor for five years, when the demands of his mercantile
business becoming so pressing he sold oñt the paper to John R. Rockwell, and a few months later disposed
of his other interests to his brother and partner, and in company with another brother opened up at Victory Mifls.
This last enterprise was successfully carried on until 1889, when he disposed of his half of the business to his
nephew, Charles F. Atwell, son of his late brother and partner. In 1878 he added to his other large holdings in
real estate the farm where he with his adopted daughter, the child of his brother, George O. Atwell, and wife of
Herbert Leggett, now reside. In 1854 Mr. Atwell married Phoebe A. McCreedy, and they had two children who died
in infancy. Mrs. Atwell died July 6, 1890. Mr. Atwell was formerly a Whig, but since the organization of the Republican
party has been a strong adherent to the principles of that party. He was postmaster of Victory Mills for thirty-two
consecutive years, from 1856 until his resignation in 1888.
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