Judge W. E. Atkinson was born in Alabama and moved, when a child, with his parents to Falcon, Arkansas. In 1872 he attended Washington and Lee University in Virginia and graduated from the law course in 1873. He began the practice of law at Rosston in this county and moved to Prescott soon after the county site was established here in 1877.

​

     He was elected Attorney General of the State in 1888 and served until 1893. After the expiration of his term of office, he practiced his chosen profession in Little Rock until 1903, when he removed to Clarksville and later to Conway. He was appointed Chancellor of the Ninth Chancery District by Governor McRae and was later elected to this office, which he continued to hold until his death.

​

      He died November 8, 1935 leaving behind his widow, Lida P. Atkinson, and children: Sherman H, Atkinson, Paul Atkinson, Margaret Barnett, and Lois Atkinson.