Thomas Watkins 1846 - 1919

WATKINS, STEWART, HOWELL, RAWLINGS, BOEKHOFF, SPRAY

Posted By: A.M.W. (email)
Date: 3/3/2006 at 23:29:20

Mt. Pleasant Weekly – 8/27/1919

On December 9, 1846, Thomas Jefferson Watkins, son of Stephen and Mary Watkins, was born near Delta, Ohio. After a long and useful life he departed this world at his home in Lockridge, Iowa, Saturday, August 16, 1919.

When he was nine years old the family removed from their home in Ohio to a new home in Jefferson County, Iowa. October 29, 1872, he was joined in marriage to Miss Eliza Belle Stewart. Five children were born to them. They are Mrs. Joseph Howell, Fairfield, Iowa; Miss Clemma Watkins, Lockridge, Iowa; Mrs. Charles Rawlings, Grafton, North Dakota; Mrs. Harry Boekhoff, Kecsauqua, Iowa and Mrs. Clyde Spray, Glasgow, Iowa. They, with their mother, mourn the loss of a good husband and father. Four brothers, Martin Watkins, Royal, Iowa, Stephen Watkins, Lockridge, George Watkins, Drayton, North Dakota, and William Watkins, Arbella, Missouri, are also left. There are also 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Besides these near relatives, a great many old friends and neighbors mourn his going. He was a quiet and industrious man. His life was spent tilling the soil. Honest and integrity marked him. His sickness was of short duration.

Funeral services, conducted by Frank E. Weston, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant, were held in the church at Glasgow on Monday afternoon at 2:30. There was a large attendance. Mr. Weston spoke from Rev. 22:21. The choir sang “It is Well With My Soul”, “Face to Face:, and “Gathering Home”. The pall bearers were Joseph Howell, Ellsworth Schillerstrom, V. M. Bell, Harry Boekhoff, Clyde Spray and Therman Watkins. Interment was in the Glasgow cemetery.