Randolph Watkins 1844-1929

WATKINS

Posted By: Sara Patton (email)
Date: 2/13/2003 at 16:35:48

RED OAK EXPRESS June 3, 1929 R. WATKINS, 84, COUNTY PIONEER BURIED TODAY Was One of Country's Mail Carriers on Horseback

Randolph Watkins, 84, resident of Montgomery county for sixty-four years, died at his home, 611 Second street Friday evening at 11:10 o'clock from infirmities due to his advanced age. He had been ill just a few days prior to his death.

Funeral services were held from the home this afternoon at 2:30 with Rev. L.L. Weis, of the Methodist church, in charge. Burial was made in Evergreen cemetery.

Randolph Watkins was born December 8, 1844 at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He came with his parents as a child from Ohio to Monmouth, Ill., in the fall of 1850, where he made his home until in 1865. In the spring of 1865 he came to Red Oak, Iowa, remained about nine months and returned to Illinois. In the spring of 1867 he came to Red Oak again, crossed the state back and forth seven or eight times, finally locating here in 1867. He followed teaming for two years, then following farming for three years.

His marriage to Matilda Kerrihard took place on Christmas eve 1868, it being the first wedding to take place in the old Methodist church which stood where the present edifice now stands. The wedding took place in front of the first Christmas tree ever prepared in Red Oak. Mr. Watkins' bride was a native of Pennsylvania. In 1873, Mr. Watkins went to Nebraska with a load of farming implements, located a claim in Webster county and moved his family there. He remained just long enough for the grasshoppers to eat them out, and returned to Iowa. In 1874 he went back his Nebraska claim, planted a crop, but soon sold out and returned to Red Oak for good. He was one of the first mail carriers. he carried mail between Sciola in Montgomery county, to Council Bluffs making the trips by horseback.

He was one of the few remaining pioneers who helped to move the court house from Frankfort to Red oak. It was moved by ox teams during a blizzard. The court house was a heavy structure, being made from native lumber. Mr. Watkins also worked on the railroad when it was first built through this section. He was a member of the Methodist church, and had served at one time as county supervisor.

Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were the parents of four daughters, Charlotte died in infancy, Mrs. Alma Wilkins in 1912. The two surviving daughters are: Mrs. Anna Lloyd of Ogden, Utah, and Mrs. Bonnie Stevens of Red Oak. they also reared in their home a foster son, Lou Watkins, now deceased. Mr. Watkins leaves on brother, J.H. Watkins of Red Oak, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Mrs. Watkins died in Red Oak January 6, 1927. His youngest daughter, Mrs. Stevens maintained a home for him after the death of the wife and mother.

Relatives who came for the funeral included Mrs. Lloyd of Ogden and Miss Loie Stevens, a granddaughter who has been attending school at Grinnell."