He was President of the Ohio Senate in 1854, and was an appointed official in the United States Department of the Treasury 1854 to 1864.
[2] He was elected to the Ohio State Senate to serve a term starting in 1852.
On January 2, 1854, the Senate elected Atkinson as President pro tem over Wiliam Lawrence by vote of 22 to 7.
[1][5] In 1866, Atkinson was appointed attorney and counselor to the United States Supreme Court.
[2] Robert and Matilda Atkinson are buried at Grandview Cemetery in Carrollton, Ohio.