My Genealogy Hound

W. J. Watkins. A name that is familiar to many households in Northeast Arkansas, and one of the leading physicians in that section, is Dr. Watkins. He was born in Rush County, Ind., on October 14, 1849, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah A. (Miller) Watkins, of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. The families are of Welsh and German descent, and the grandparents on both sides were born in Virginia. The paternal grandfather emigrated to North Carolina, and resided in that State several years, when he removed to Rush County, Ind., where he died, as did also the maternal grandfather. The father of Dr. Watkins was a farmer, and was married in Indiana. In his latter days he carried on a successful brokerage business, and at the time of his death was one of the best known brokers in Brown County. His body was removed to Rush County and buried, as was also that of the mother. They were the parents of eight children, of whom seven are still living: Berry H., Martha, Perry, William J., Louisiana, Hester A. and Felicia. The Doctor was reared in Rush County, and moved to Brown County when in his fourteenth year. He received a very liberal education in his youth, and, at the age of seventeen years, began to study medicine. In 1867 he commenced to attend the medical lectures at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and, in 1872, he graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. After being thoroughly versed in his profession he went to Newburg, Ind., and commenced practicing. He remained there a short time, and then moved to Arkansas, locating at Clover Bend, but, three years after, he again changed, and settled at Walnut Ridge, in the same county, where he remained until the spring of 1889, when he left, to the regret of many friends, and moved to Newport. He is building up a fine practice, and is regarded as one of the most competent physicians in that section, besides being a very popular man socially. He is a member of the Lawrence County Medical Association, and was its president for a number of years, as well as being a member of the State Medical Society. The Doctor also belongs to the Knights of Honor, and was the State medical examiner of that organization for three and one-half years, also belonging to the Masonic fraternity. He was married in 1872 to Miss Elizabeth T. Jenkins, daughter of Dr. J. H. and Sarah C. (nee Wayland) Jenkins, both natives of Kentucky, by whom he has had one child, G. Maxey, the lady being a sincere and conscientious Christian, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Watkins has become one of the most enterprising and valuable citizens of whom Lawrence County can boast. He is always a leading spirit in anything advancing and improving the community.