James W. Watkins, ex-mayor of Quenemo, and one of the progressive and prosperous business men of that place, was born in Arkansas, Oct. 26, 1857, the son of R. W. and Mary A. Watkins. His father was a natives[sic] of Alabama, who immigrated to Arkansas in 1855 and engaged in farming. Just at the opening of the Civil war he came to Kansas; opened up a prairie farm in Douglas county and at the same time worked at the carpenter's trade. He served in the Kansas state militia and also on the school board. James Watkins' maternal grandfather was a Georgian, who came west and located in Arkansas at an early day. Mr. Watkins was only a boy when he accompanied his parents to Kansas. He was reared upon his father's farm and received such schooling as the frontier afforded. Having learned the carpenter's trade from his father he followed that vocation for some years and, in 1890, located in Osage county. For some time he continued to run his farm and at the same time took charge of the construction of houses and other buildings. Disposing of these interests Mr. Watkins opened a restaurant in Quenemo, which he conducted with marked success for seven years. He then entered the real estate and insurance business, in which he is still engaged. Mr. Watkins is a natural business man and every undertaking he started has proved a success. Ever since he first located in Quenemo Mr. Watkins has taken an interest in every movement in the town. In April, 1908, he was elected mayor and at once began to inaugurate improvements which have made Quenemo the fine city it is. At the time he was elected there were a number of undesirable residents there who have been forced to leave; all resorts have been cleared out and fine sidewalks laid on the principal streets. In 1911 Mr. Watkins was elected police judge, which office he now holds.

In September, 1892, Mr. Watkins married Rosa Wattee. Her parents were Hollanders, who immigrated to the United States and located in Wabaunsee county, Kansas, in 1870. Her father was a farmer by occupation. The family moved to Quenemo some years ago, where Mr. Wattee died. His wife is still living at the hearty old age of eighty-four. Two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watkins: Florence, who is a graduate of the Quenemo High School, and Gladys, attending school. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.