John W. Atwater

John Wilbur Atwater
Born	(1840-12-27)December 27, 1840 near Fearrington, North Carolina
Died	July 4, 1910(1910-07-04) (aged 69) Fearrington, North Carolina
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Service / branch	Confederate States Army
Rank	Private
Unit	1st North Carolina Infantry

John Wilbur Atwater (December 27, 1840 – July 4, 1910) was an American farmer and Confederate Civil War veteran who served one term as a U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between 1899 and 1901.

Early life and education

Atwater was born near Fearrington, North Carolina in 1840. He attended common schools and the William Closs Academy.

Service with the Confederacy

A farmer, he enlisted in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War, serving in Company D, First Regiment, of the North Carolina Volunteer Infantry. Atwater was with the army of Gen. Robert E. Lee until the Lee's surrender at Appomattox.

Later career

Atwater joined the Farmers' Alliance in 1887, and was the first president of the Chatham County Alliance. He was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1890 as an Alliance Democrat; he was subsequently elected in 1892 and 1896 as a Populist.

Congress

In 1898, as an Independent Populist, Atwater was sent to the 56th U.S. Congress, serving from March 4, 1899, to March 3, 1901.

He unsuccessfully ran for re-election in 1900 and returned to farming.

Death and legacy

He died in Fearington in 1910 and is buried in the Mount Pleasant Church Cemetery near Pittsboro.

References

• United States Congress. "John W. Atwater (id: A000334)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.