ATHERTON, EDWARD JONATHAN - the banking institutions of the country, controlling the financial affairs of the people, have to associate with themselves men whose names carry weight. Their officials must be of unblemished character and high standing, or the business suffers. The Pleasant Plains State Bank is fortunate in having among its officials a young man of the connections and ability of Edward Jonathan Atherton, who comes of one of the most honored of Sangamon county families.

Mr. Atherton was born March 24, 1869, at Pleasant Plains, and has grown up among the people whose interests he now represents. He is a son of Dr. Albert Atherton, and his wife Sarah Ann (Hayes) Atherton, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Atherton graduated from Whipple Academy, Jacksonville, Ill., Class of 1890, the first class to receive diplomas from the institution. He then taught school for eight years, later attending the Indiana University, at Bloomington, and at the close of his junior year entered the senior class of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, graduating with the Class of 1901, with the degree of A.B. Immediately thereafter he entered the Pleasant Plains State Bank, where he is now Assistant Cashier. He ably discharges the duties of his important position.

The marriage of Mr. Atherton took place on June 30, 1902, at Sycamore, Ill., when he was united with Sadie Chenoweth Athons. Mr. and Mrs. Atherton have two children - Tracy Leon and Dwight Wilbur. Mr. Atherton is a Republican in politics and a Methodist in religion. He is one of the most reliable and conservative young men of Pleasant Plains, and he and his charming wife have gathered about them a congenial circle of friends