a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Virginia, Sept. 14, 1798. Little is known of his early life. In 1827 he was admitted into the Pittsburgh Conference; in 1868 was smitten with paralysis, and remained in a helpless condition until his death, Oct. 24, 1874. 'Mr. Athey was a plain, earnest preacher, thoroughly versed in Methodism and one of her most powerful defenders. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1875, p. 34.