WATKINS, George W. - 1912 Bio (1862-1923)

WATKINS, BARTIN, WHITE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/4/2007 at 20:12:21

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 236-237

George W. WATKINS, a well known and enterprising farmer and stockman of Round Prairie township, is the owner of a tract of land comprising one hundred and twenty-five acres. His birth occurred in that township, on the 28th of February, 1862, his parents being Stephen and Mary (WATKINS) WATKINS, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Thomas J. WATKINS, a brother of our subject. George W. WATKINS was reared and educated in his native township and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Subsequently he spent ten years as a farm hand and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating a rented tract of land until 1895. In that year he bought a farm of fifty-five acres but operated the same for only a brief period, disposing of the property and purchasing one hundred and twenty-five acres of the old home place. He cleared eighty acres of the tract and has been busily engaged in its further cultivation and improvement to the present time. He also erected buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and now has a model farming property. In connection with the production of cereals he raises about thirty head of hogs annually and keeps twenty head of cattle and ten head of horses.

On the 24th of March, 1898, Mr. WATKINS was united in marriage to Miss Teresa BARTIN, a daughter of Eli and Naomi (WHITE) BARTIN, who were natives of Ohio and Missouri respectively. The father came to Henry county, Iowa, in an early day, purchased and improved a farm and devoted his attention to its operation until called to his final rest in 1881. His widow, who is now sixty-four years of age, still resides on the old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. WATKINS are the parents of seven children, as follows: Velma V., a maiden of thirteen; Clifford C., who is eleven years old; Floyd J., a lad of ten; Willis, George R. and Agnes P., who are eight, five and two years of age respectively; and Fenton C., one year old.

Mr. WATKINS gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served as assessor of Round Prairie township. He is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity and a devoted member of the Methodist church, to which his wife also belongs. In the county where his entire life has been spent he enjoys an enviable reputation as a substantial agriculturist and representative citizen.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.