Peter Lee Atherton was an American businessman, property developer, investor and politician based in Louisville, Kentucky. He was born on October 7, 1862.
Early life
Atherton was the son of John McDougal Atherton and Maria B. Farnam. His father was elected to one term as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1869 to 1871, and served as a Democrat. A businessman, who prior to prohibition, was a whiskey distiller. His maternal great-great grandfather was Alexander McDougall, a merchant and privateer, a Sons of Liberty leader from New York City, who served as a General during the Revolutionary War and on cessation of hostilities became the first President of the Bank of New York. His paternal great-grandfather, Aaron Atherton, was part of a group of settlers who travelled through the Cumberland Gap, who arrived in the area now known as Kentucky in 1780. His great grandfather's home in Hodgenville, KY was deemed to be of significance and was admitted to the National Register of Historic Places. His grandfather, Peter Atherton operated a small distillery on the banks of Rolling Fork River at Knob Creek for over thirty years. This distilling tradition and family legacy survived and passed onto his father and onto him. A business that his father sold in 1898, when Peter was 37 years old.
Career
Atherton graduated from Louisville High School. Atherton worked with his father, the owner of J M Atherton Distillery, Athertonville, Kentucky for over 20 years. Between 1883 and 1899 he was vice president and General Manager of John M. Atherton & Company, a chemical and distilling business. He entered the real estate business. His financial affiliations were numerous. By 1903 he was fully empowered both as a legislator and in business. Seelbach Realty Company, his real estate business was incorporated that year, the company that owned and leased out the Seelbach Hotel.He became president of the Atherton Realty Co., vice president of Louisville Realty Association, on the board of directors for the Lincoln Realty Co., Seelbach Realty Co., Federal Chemical Co., and Lincoln Savings Bank. He served as president of the May Musical Festival in 1907 and as president of the Lincoln Central Road Association. He was active in the Democratic Party and vocal on many issues, including his views against prohibition. Atherton was a state legislator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky; he became known as the “Father of the Jackson Highway“
Jefferson Highway Association
Atherton was a member of the Jefferson Highway Association, received his direction from his father John McDougal Atherton on the need to build up Kentucky's overland transportation links,in order for the region to prosper and remain competitive.
Personal
His first wife was Mary Goodenow Kelsey, the daughter of Professor Kelsey. This marriage ended in divorce. They had a daughter Mary Valerie Atherton who married Kelley Graham. Atherton remarried. His second wife, Cornelia Anderson of Louisville; the daughter of Dr. Turner Anderson. They married in New York City on May 23, 1914. They had four children: Valerie, Sarah Anderson, Cornelia E. and John M.
In the 1920s his father began setting up a number of trusts, transferring control of other parties, however he died less than seven years after the death of his father. A taxation question arose and some cases, particular the ownership of the Atherton Building, which housed the H.P. Selman Department store would not be settled until the mid 1940s. His wealthy widow, sponsored the USS Atherton, following the tragic loss of her son in 1942, Lt. John M. Atherton, a Line Officer onboard USS Meredith torpedoed and sunk during the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of World War II on October 25, 1942. Source: A few years later Cornelia was recognised as a Gold Star Mother. Ironically the USS Atherton was transferred to the Japanese Navy in 1955. Cornelia Atherton is listed as Mrs. Peter Lee Atherton in the Principal Women of America.
