Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
WILLIAM M. WATKINS, a native
of Randolph county, Illinois, born August 25, 1850, is a farmer residing
two miles southwest of Davenport. He was the son of Washington S.
and Amanda (Woldridge) Watkins, the former a native of Tennessee and the
latter of Todd county, Kentucky. The father, however, removed to
Illinois in an early day and spent the remainder of his life in Randolph
county. His father was Noel Watkins, and his grandfather was Captain
William Watkins, a captain in the patriot army during the Revolutionary
War. The mother, now ninety-one years of age, is living in Sedalia,
Missouri. The brothers and sisters of William M. Watkins are, Noel
W., Abner J., Mrs. Mildred A. Brown, Mrs. Laura Edwards, and Mrs. Elizabeth
Burton, all living in Missouri with the exception of the first named, whose
home is in Douglas county, Washington.
William M. Watkins was
reared in Illinois, and was there married on May 11, 1876, to Emma Gary,
born near Memphis, Tennessee, May 18, 1856. Her father was William
B. Gary, a native of North Carolina, who died near Memphis and her mother
was Sarah (Madden) Gary, a South Carolinian by birth, who also died in
Tennessee. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Watkins are James R.,
Ludie F., Belle F., and Mrs. Sarah R. Curbo. Mrs. Watkins came to
Randolph county, Illinois, after she became a woman grown.
In the fall of 1876
Mr. Watkins removed to Missouri, and farmed for eight years. About
1887, Mr. Watkins repaired to Sedalia and opened a wholesale and retail
candy factory, which he conducted for four years. Then he sold and
removed to Ionia, where he engaged in general merchandising, and later
became postmaster of the town. This latter position he held with
satisfaction to all for four years. Then he sold his business and
in May, 1898, he visited Lincoln county, Washington. So well pleased
was he with conditions as he found them that he purchased a farm returned
to his Missouri home, sold out, and brought his family to its new home
during the following June. He owns a quarter-section of choice grain
land where he lives, and an equal amount all fenced and improved near Coulee
City, Douglas county. He has a large seven-room house, a large barn,
and all other improvements found on the modern and skillfully managed farm.
His home place lies near the Central Washington railroad track.
Mr. and Mrs. Watkins
have three children; Lulu Belle, wife of Albert Grube; Olive May, who has
a partially improved homestead adjoining that of her father in Douglas
county; and Amanda M., wife of Josiah J. Nichols, of the neighborhood of
Davenport.