My Genealogy Hound

Hon. John A. Watkins is an eminent and talented attorney residing at Mount Ida, Ark., but his birth occurred in Hamilton County, Tenn., December 20, 1851, being a son of William and Martha (Rogers) Watkins, natives of Tennessee. The father died at the untimely age of twenty-six years, having been a very successful farmer throughout life. After his death his widow married J. C. Witt, and in Hamilton County, Tenn., passed from life, in 1859, Mr. Witt still surviving her, a resident of Nashville, Ark. He first removed to Texas, in 1859, then to Missouri, in 1865, and in 1880 settled in Montgomery County, Ark., soon after taking up his abode in Nashville, where he is holding the position of city marshal. Although he has been a merchant of Nashville, his principal occupation through life has been farming, but during a short residence in Conway, Faulkner County, Ark., he also held the position of marshal. He entered the Confederate service while in Texas, and throughout the war served east of the Mississippi River, and participated in many battles. The subject of this sketch was reared by his grandfather, William Rogers, in Hamilton County, Tenn., and there he received the advantages of the common schools. When fourteen years of age he was taken to Fayetteville, Ark., by Mr. Rogers, and was put to school in the State University at that place, as a law student, having studied for some time under George G. Little. He was admitted to the bar at Mount Ida, Ark., in 1875, and there has continued his practice, with nattering results, up to the present time, being first associated with Mr. Little. This partnership was dissolved in 1884, but he afterward became associated with G. Witt, his half- brother. In 1878 Mr. Watkins’ services to his party, and his fine intellect became recognized, and he was elected to the position of county treasurer, was re-elected in 1880, and in 1882 was chosen to represent Montgomery County in the Lower House of the State Legislature, and served two terms of two years each. In 1875 he and O. H. Overstreet opened a general mercantile store at Mount Ida, and at the end of four years Mr. Watkins succeeded his partner, soon after forming a partnership with Eli Smith, the firm being known as Eli Smith & Co., for one year. C. J. Watkins, his brother, next became his partner, and the firm has since been known as Watkins Bros. Although they started with little means, they now do an extensive business, and Mr. Watkins is now the heaviest tax payer in the county. He was married, in 1878, to Miss Rebecca Smith, a daughter of Eli Smith, of this place, and by her has five children: Charles T., George T., Margie, John A., Jr., and Florence. Mrs. Watkins is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Mr. Watkins is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity. He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State three times, and in his political views is a Democrat.