George F. A. Atherton (December 31, 1790 – April 23, 1882) was an American politician from Emerald Grove, Wisconsin, who served in the Wisconsin State Assembly after being elected to the 1st Wisconsin Legislature in 1848. He represented the Rock County towns of Bradford and Janesville."First Legislature of the State of Wisconsin", Wisconsin Democrat June 14, 1848, p. 1, col. 3

Early life Atherton was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire,1880 United States Federal Census the son of Dr Oliver Atherton (17551812) and Abigail Ladd (17651828).

In the assembly Atherton was a Democrat. He was succeeded in the next session by Anson W. Pope, a Whig.

After the assembly Atherton was on the board of directors of the Madison and Beloit Railroad Company when that board voted to change its name to the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company in 1850.Hoyt, John W., et al., "Document 15: Second annual report of the railroad commissioners of the state of Wisconsin", p. 101, in Governor's message and accompanying documents delivered to the legislature in joint convention, Thursday, January 13, 1876, volume II, 1876 (covers 1874/1875)). Madison: E. B. Bolens, State Printer, 1875. He remained on the board until 1854, when a complete reorganization took place. The railroad later became the Madison Division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.Turner, A. J., et al., "Public document no. 5: fifth annual report of the railroad commissioner of the state of Wisconsin", pp. 355-56, in Governor's message and accompanying documents, volume I (covers 1877/78) Madison: David Atwood, State Printer, 1879.

Personal He served in the U.S. Army and married Ruthy Bartlett as "Major George F. A. Atherton" in Charlestown, New Hampshire, on October 7, 1818.

His son, George R. Atherton (18241910), represented Clinton in the 10th Wisconsin Legislature.

His daughter, Frances (18221900), married William Wallace White, the son of Phineas White.

He died in Burlington, Iowa, on April 23, 1882,Iowa, Deaths and Burials, 1850-1990 and was buried at Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington.

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