When Russell Harper Atkins was born on 16 March 1845, in Blountstown, Calhoun, Florida, United States, his father, John P. Atkins, was 26 and his mother, Phireba Harper, was 21. He married Georgia Anne Banks in 1868, in Abe Springs, Calhoun, Florida, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 2 daughters. He lived in Abe Springs, Calhoun, Florida, United States in 1880 and Baker, Okaloosa, Florida, United States in 1930. He registered for military service in 1907. He died on 1 March 1931, in Opp, Covington, Alabama, United States, at the age of 85, and was buried in Opp, Covington, Alabama, United States.