My Genealogy Hound

James H. Watkins, another citizen whose chief industry is farming and stock raising, and who now resides three miles north east of Fair Play, Mo., was born May 11, 1845, in Sumner County, Tenn., and is the son of Philip M. and Laura C. (Lay) Watkins, and the grandson of Robert Watkins, who died in Tennessee. Philip M. Watkins was born in Kentucky, in 1797, and emigrated at an early age to Tennessee. He married Miss Lay in 1825, she being, probably, a native of Kentucky, born in 1808. Thirteen children were born to their marriage, seven now living. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, under Jackson, and was in the battle of New Orleans. He and family moved to Polk County, Mo., about 1849, and here he was engaged in tilling the soil, which he continued until his death, which occurred April 4, 1879, in Polk County. The mother also died in that county, in August, 1884. J. H. Watkins attained his majority in Polk County, Mo., and, like the average country boy, received his learning in the common schools. At the breaking out of the war 3ie enlisted in Company D, Eighth Regiment Missouri State Militia, and was mustered out, on account of disability, at Jefferson City, in January, 1865. He was wounded at Jefferson City, in October, 1864, by a rifle ball in the right ankle. After he returned to Polk County he was married, in January, 1874, to Miss Hulda Pickle, of Polk County. She was born in Tennessee about 1849, and came to Polk County, Mo., at an early age, where she married Mr. Watkins, and bore him eight children, seven now living: John W., William L., George E., Louisa C, Mary E., Albert (deceased), Finia Q. and James C. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and also of the Knights of Pythias. In his politics he affiliates with the Republican party.