San Joaquin County Biographies


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


JUDGE WARREN H. ATHERTON.
 
        One of the youngest men in the state of California to be appointed city 
justice, Judge Warren H. Atherton has already attained a position of prominence 
among the members of the Stockton bar, his signal rise in the legal profession 
coming as a due recognition of his ability and the thoroughness of his training, 
gained through his application and persevering study. Judge Atherton is a native 
son of California, born at San Francisco, December 28, 1891, gaining his 
education in the public schools there. In 1908 he entered the employ of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad, as a clerk in the office at Port Costa, Contra Costa 
County. With a decided bent toward the legal profession, he had already made up 
his mind to enter the practice of law, and so began by studying at night, 
pursuing this course until October 20, 1911, when he came to Stockton and 
entered the law office of H. R. McNoble. Here he studied diligently so that he 
was admitted to the bar on January 8, 1913, becoming Mr. McNoble's partner the 
following year.
        On October 13, 1917, Mr. Atherton patriotically gave up his law practice 
to enlist in the service of his country, entering Company D, 363rd Infantry, as 
a private. He became first sergeant, and was commissioned first lieutenant while 
in an American training camp, and transferred to the ordnance. Soon after 
arriving in France he was advanced to the rank of captain, and saw service in 
the tank corps, having charge of the distribution of caterpillar tractors in 
France, and in command of one of the ordnance parks there. After nearly two 
years in the service, he received his honorable discharge on September 3, 1919, 
returning to Stockton, where, on October 1, he formed a law partnership with M. 
P. Shaughnessy, as Shaughnessy & Atherton. On December 15, 1920, he was named 
Justice of Stockton, and this post he has fired most efficiently, being 
exceptionally well qualified for its duties. Judge Atherton has made a special 
study of bond issues and is considered an authority on this important subject, 
as related to municipal financing. He was selected by the city to conduct its 
bond proceedings in recent issues, among them the issue of $1,275,000 for the 
Stockton school district, the $1,760,000 issue for the Stockton Municipal 
Auditorium and City Hall, and the $1,500,000 issue for the Calaveras Dam 
project.
        On July 7, 1917, Mr. Atherton was married to Miss Anne M. Holt, daughter 
of the late Benjamin Holt, the inventor of the famous caterpillar tractor, and 
whose genius and worth gave him a place of highest honor among Stockton's noted 
citizens. Judge Atherton took a prominent part in the organization of the local 
post of the American Legion and is very popular in its ranks, being a member of 
the executive committee during the year 1920.
 
History of San Joaquin County, California � Los Angeles, Historic Record Co., 
1923
p    1271      
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.