WATKINS, Thomas Jefferson - 1912 Bio (1846-1919)

WATKINS, STEWART, MCELFRESH, HOWELL, RAWLINGS, BOEKHOFF

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/4/2007 at 20:26:48

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 198-199

Thomas J. WATKINS.

Vitally interested in the many problems of scientific farming, Thomas J. WATKINS has met with well merited success in his chosen calling, which he still pursues, now operating the homestead farm in Round Prairie township, Jefferson county. He was born in Fulton county, Ohio, December 9, 1846, and was a son of Stephen F. and Mary (WATKINS) WATKINS, both natives of Ohio, where the father followed agricultural pursuits until 1855. The family then removed to Jefferson county, Iowa, and settled on a farm of one hundred and seventy acres. This land the father cleared and improved working in the fields until his death in 1873. Mrs. WATKINS passed away in November, 1910.

Thomas J. WATKINS passed his youth under the parental roof and obtained his early education in the common schools of Ohio and continued for a time in Jefferson county after his arrival here. He was a lad of nine years when the journey was made from Ohio to Iowa, but he remembers vividly the incidents of that momentous ride which the family made in a covered wagon much like the prairie schooners that dotted the western plains on their way beyond the great divide. When arrived at legal age he rented a farm which he operated for two years when he gave it up in order to engage in the mercantile business at Glasgow, following this pursuit for four years. He then resumed agricultural labors again, renting a tract of land which he cultivated for many years until, induced by a good opportunity to invest in land, he bought a farm in Harrison county, Iowa, remaining there until 1908, when he sold out his holdings and returned to Jefferson county on account of the failing health of his mother. Her death occurred two years later but he still manages the home farm, tilling the soil with patient industry, reaping bountiful crops and feeding a good grade of cattle.

The marriage of Mr. WATKINS and Miss Belle STEWART, a daighter of Levi and Mary (McELFRESH) STEWART, took place on November 20, 1872. Mrs. WATKINS' father was a native of Maryland and came to Jefferson county, Iowa, in 1855, locating in Cedar township where he bought a tract of land which he cultivated for many years, retiring at length to Glasgow to a comfortable home which he purchased and in which he resided until his death in January, 1878. Mrs. STEWART, who was a native of Ohio, died on May 11, 1886. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. WATKINS are: Stella M., the wife of Joseph HOWELL, a farmer in Lockridge township; Clemma, living at home; Ethel, the wife of Charles RAWLINGS, a farmer in Cedar township; Alberta, the wife of Harry BOEKHOFF, a farmer in Van Buren county; and Mary E., living at home.

In their religious faith Mr. and Mrs. WATKINS subscribe to the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. WATKINS is a democrat and is an ardent worker for the cause of his party, believing in the principles for which it stands. While he has never filled a political position, being indifferent to the honors of office, he has very creditably served as school director in his district. Retiring in his disposition, content with life as it is, he has lived remote from the more sordid conflicts which harsh conditions in our present business life force upon many a man, and as his reward enjoys the peace of mind that passeth understanding.

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