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Charles Wesley Watkins (3 May 1849 - 31 Mar. 1922)CHARLES W. WATKINS, a member of the Huntington Bar, was born in Logan Co., Ohio, on May 3, 1849. He was the second son born to William W. and Rebecca (Elliot) Watkins, the former a native of Logan County, Ohio, and the latter a native of Stark County, Ohio, both of English descent. The former was the youngest child of James and Nancy (White) Watkins, both natives of Sussex County, Virginia. The latter was the daughter of Joseph and Mary (John) Elliott, both natives of Washington County, Pennsylvania. Our subject spent his boyhood working upon his father's farm, in his native county. At the age of fourteen, he entered Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Ohio Volunteers, from which he received an honorable discharge in August, 1865. He participated in the engagements of Resacca, Picket's Mills, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Franklin and Nashville. At the close of the war he returned to his native county, where until March, 1872, he was attending school and teaching. At that time he entered upon the study of law, under Judge William Lawrence, of Bellefontaine, Ohio. He pursued his legal studies under his instruction two years. His admission to the bar occurred at Kenton, Ohio, September 1, 1871. In March, 1874, he came to the City of Huntington, in which he has ever since been actively and successfully engaged in the practice Of his profession. He first formed a partnership with James C. Branyan which existed until in December, 1882. On the first day of January, 1883, he became associated with B. M. Cobb, whose partner he has been. ever since. November 8, 1877. He was married to Irene Wickersham, also a native of Logan County, Ohio, born May 15, 1856. She was the daughter of Cyrus and Susan (Leymaster) Wickersham, the former a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and the latter a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This marriage has resulted in the birth of two children: Cosette I., and Grace A., both of whom are living. Mrs Watkins is a member of the Lutheran Church. Our subject is a member of the F. & A. M. and G. A. R. Lodges, and a Republican in politics. He has been twice elected Circuit Prosecutor for the Twenty-Eighth Judicial Circuit, of Indiana, composed of Grant, Blackford and Huntington Counties.
SOURCE: History of Huntington County, Indiana. Chicago 1877. Brant & Fuller. Pg. 557 |