Barber County Kansas

The Family of
Joseph & Sarah Jane (Dutton) Watkins

Compiled by Della M. Shafer


"This is an abbreviated narrative report on the descendants of Joseph WATKINS and Sarah Jane DUTTON, two of whose children settled in Medicine Lodge, KS - William Shane WATKINS and Jennie Elizabeth (WATKINS) TIBBETS. I've only included a third generation for those two children." -- Della M. Shafer, 30 October 2005.


Joseph WATKINS was born on 1 Jan 1826 in Guernsey Co, OH. He died on 18 Aug 1909 in Osceola, Clarke Co, IA. He was buried in Maple Hill Cem, Osceola, IA.


The Osceola Sentinel, Thursday, August 19, 1909.

Obituary: Joseph Watkins

After an illness of but a few days from paralysis, Joseph Watkins, one of the noble pioneers of this county passed away at his home in Osceola Wednesday morning, August 18, aged 82 years, 7 months and 17 days. Funeral services will be held at the ME church at 2:30 today (Thursday), Rev. Davis officiating.

Mr. Watkins was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio January 1, 1826. He was married January 1, 1851 to Sarah Jane Dutton in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and soon after came to Eddyville, from which place they moved to Clarke County in 1857. They resided on a farm until about three years ago, when they moved to Osceola.

Mr. Watkins was the father of five children. Three daughters have preceded him in death. Alice Gertrude, Mrs. Anna Twombley, and Hester Harless. Three sons and two daughters, with the aged companion of almost threescore years, mourn his departure. They are William S. of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, Joseph L. of Cleo, Oklahoma, Sarah Twombley of Lacelle, John W. of Weldon, and Mrs. Jennie Tibbetts of Medicine Lodge. All except Mrs. Tibbetts, who is in a hospital, will attend the funeral.

Mr. Watkins was a man of kindly and lovable character and we often conversed with him on the pioneer times. He had taken the Sentinal since it's first issue over 50 years ago and had always been actively interested in public affairs.

While he is gathered as the ripened grain in the fullness of his years, yet one feels a deep sympathy for the lonely widow, who for almost 60 years has been his constant companion and is now left alone. But to her and to the children is left a heritage of noble record of a long life well lived.


Joseph WATKINS and Sara Jane DUTTON were married on 12 Mar 1850 in Tuscarawas Co, OH. Sara Jane DUTTON (daughter of Jeramiah DUTTON and Sarah RIPPATH) was born on 8 Dec 1832 in Rocksford, Tuscarawas Co, OH. She died on 28 Oct 1924 in Osceola, Clarke Co, IA. She was buried in Maple Hill Cem, Osceola, IA. Joseph WATKINS and Sara Jane DUTTON had the following children:

I. William Shane WATKINS was born on 22 Apr 1852 in Cumberland, Guernsey Co, OH. He died on 27 Dec 1939 in Medicine Lodge, Barber Co, KS. He was buried in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS. Lived in Wapello Co., IA for three years, then in Osceola and Lacelle in Clark Co. before moving to Medicine Lodge, KS in 1877. Was a clerk in a local store and later owned a mercantile store with his father-in-law, Jacob CHENOWETH. Served on the City Council and as a Trustee. Died from Flu and old age. Marriage record found in Clarke Co., IA on 15 Jul 1994 - Record book 1/9/1873 to 12/5/1878, page 69: Applicant J. L. Chenoweth for William S. Watkins & Jane Chenoweth. Married by Aaron Harlan, J.P.

William Shane and Mary Jane (Chenoweth) Watkins, Medicine Lodge, Kansas.

Photo courtesy of Della M. Shafer.

William Shane and Mary Jane (Chenoweth) Watkins, Medicine Lodge, Kansas.
Photo courtesy of Della M. Shafer.

William Shane WATKINS and Mary Jane CHENOWETH were married on 19 Nov 1873 in Clarke Co, IA. Mary Jane CHENOWETH (daughter of Jacob L CHENOWETH and Nancy MCINTOSH) was born on 13 Mar 1854 in Lacelle, Clarke Co, IA. She died on 10 Apr 1920 in Medicine Lodge, Barber Co, KS. She was buried in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS. William Shane WATKINS and Mary Jane CHENOWETH had the following children:

A. Martha "Mattie" WATKINS was born in Dec 1872. Barber Co. Marriage record- Book B, Page 236. Married by J.L. Patterson. Husband's nationality: English. Lived in Dacoma, Woods Co., OK according to her parents' obituary.

Martha "Mattie" WATKINS and Thomas IRELAND were married on 28 Nov 1904 in Medicine Lodge, Barber Co, KS. Thomas IRELAND (son of William IRELAND and Mary Ann BLAKE) was born about 1867.

B. Effie Blanche WATKINS was born in 1876. She died on 17 Aug 1934 in Medicine Lodge, Barber Co, KS. She was buried in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS. Dates taken from tombstone in Highland Cemetery. Lived in Aline, Alfalfa Co., OK according to her parents' obituaries.

Effie Blanche WATKINS and ___ WILT were married. ___ WILT was born.

C. Eliza A. "Lida" WATKINS was born in Nov 1877 in IA. Barber Co. Marriage record- Book B, Page 105. Lived in Hazleton, Barber Co., KS according to her parents' obituaries.

Eliza A "Lida" WATKINS and David HAWVER were married on 23 Dec 1903 in Barber Co, KS. David HAWVER was born.

D. Minnie R. WATKINS was born in Apr 1879 in KS. She died in Feb 1972. She was buried on 28 Feb 1972 in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS. First marriage: Barber Co. Marriage record- Book B, Page 213. Married by J.L. Patterson.

Minnie R WATKINS and James T WELLS were married on 25 May 1904 in Medicine Lodge, Barber Co, KS. James T WELLS (son of Samuel F WELLS and Dora HUNTER) was born about 1882. He died on 8 Nov 1918. He was buried in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS.

Minnie R WATKINS and Stephen P GARRISON were married. Stephen P GARRISON was born in 1861. He died on 24 Nov 1937. He was buried on 29 Nov 1937 in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS.

E. Troy W. WATKINS was born in Apr 1881 in KS. Barber Co. Marriage record- Book B, Page 188. Married by J.J. Griffin. Lived in Zenda, Kingman Co., KS according to his parents' obituaries.

Troy W WATKINS and Lola PRIEST were married on 17 Jun 1903 in Medicine Lodge, Barber Co, KS. Lola PRIEST (daughter of Nathan PRIEST and Helen VANDIVER) was born about 1882.

F. Ray Arthur WATKINS was born in Feb 1884 in KS. He died on 14 Jan 1936. He was buried in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS. Lived in Aline, Alfalfa Co., OK according to his parents' obituaries.

G. Fred WATKINS was born in Mar 1886 in KS. Lived in Ashland, Clark Co., KS according to his parents' obituaries.

H. Charles WATKINS was born in Apr 1888 in KS. Lived in Simla, Elbert Co., CO according to his parents' obituaries. I. Kyte WATKINS was born on 10 Apr 1891 in KS. He died in Oct 1966. Birth and death dates from the Social Security Death Index which shows #513-03-0393 for Kyte WATKINS, issued in Kansas, last residence Florence, Fremont Co., CO.

J. Joseph Lowe WATKINS was born on 7 Oct 1893 in KS. He died on 30 May 1975 in Medicine Lodge, Barber Co, KS. He was buried on 2 Jun 1975 in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS. Served as PFC in the US Army during WWI.

II. Annie WATKINS was born about 1854 in OH. She died on 27 Jun 1906. She was buried in Maple Hill Cem, Osceola, IA. Death date taken from tombstone inscription.

Annie WATKINS and Isaiah Arthur TWOMBLEY were married on 1 Jan 1873. Isaiah Arthur TWOMBLEY (son of Isaiah TWOMBLEY and Lydia Mehitable OTIS) was born on 17 Jul 1854 in Clarke Co, IA. He died on 16 Aug 1940 in Osceola, Clarke Co, IA. He was buried in Maple Hill Cem, Osceola, IA.

III. Alice Gertrude WATKINS was born about 1857 in IA. She died before 19 Aug 1909.

IV. Laurice Hester WATKINS was born in Oct 1859 in IA. She died before 19 Aug 1909. Spelling of name taken from 1870 census. Marriage date taken from Clarke Co., IA Marriage Record Book 12/22/1878 to 3/6/1884, page 375. Jacob Harless of Clarke, age 53 was the affiant. Married in the home of father Joseph Watkins

Laurice Hester WATKINS and Francis A HARLESS were married on 12 Mar 1882 in Knox Tp, Clarke Co, IA. Francis A HARLESS (son of Jacob HARLESS and Martha H) was born in Jan 1861 in MO.

V. Joseph L. WATKINS was born about 1862. He died before 27 Dec 1939. Address given in father's obituary in 1909 was Cleo, OK.

VI. Sarah Ellen "Sallie" WATKINS was born about 1865 in IA. She died on 15 Jan 1950. Marriage record Clarke Co., IA - Record Book 8/12/1880 to 3/26/1891, page 40: Sarah Ellen Watkins, 21 and Ulysses G., 22, farmer, IA married September 3, 1885 at residence of J. L. Harless, J.P. Groom's parents: Isiah Twambley and Lydia Otis. Witnesses: Lydia M. Twombley and M. H. Harless. Affiant : O. P. Walcott.

Sarah Ellen "Sallie" WATKINS and Ulysses Grant TWOMBLEY were married on 24 Jun 1888 in Clarke Co, IA. Ulysses Grant TWOMBLEY (son of Isaiah TWOMBLEY and Lydia Mehitable OTIS) was born on 8 Aug 1864 in IA. He died on 2 Jul 1944.

VII. John Wesley WATKINS was born on 17 Apr 1867 in Knox Tp, Clarke Co, IA. He died on 17 Apr 1943 in Iowa City, Johnson Co, IA.

John Wesley WATKINS and Emma May THOMPSON were married on 17 Aug 1890 in Afton, Union Co, IA. Emma May THOMPSON was born on 2 Nov 1866 in Union Co, IA. She died on 2 Jan 1952 in Murray, Clarke Co, IA.

VIII. Jennie Elizabeth WATKINS was born on 14 Nov 1872 in Lacelle, Clarke Co, IA. She died on 2 Sep 1943 in Hardtner, Barber Co, KS. She was buried on 4 Sep 1943 in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS. A note in the Barber County Index newspaper on 2 Sep 1943 states: "C. L. Forsyth took the ambulance to the Oliver Louthan home in Nashville Friday where he got Mrs. Tibbets and took her to the Hardtner Hospital for treatment." She evidently died the day the paper came out.

Jennie Elizabeth WATKINS and William Wallace TIBBETS were married on 24 Jun 1888 in Lacelle, Clarke Co, IA. William Wallace TIBBETS (son of Charles TIBBETTS and ___ GREEN) was born on 10 Jul 1857 in Toledo, Lucas Co, OH. He died on 8 Feb 1934 in Altus, Jackson Co, OK. He was buried on 10 Feb 1934 in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS. Jennie Elizabeth WATKINS and William Wallace TIBBETS had the following children:

A. Ledrue Erwin TIBBETS was born in Jul 1889 in IA. Was a pall bearer at his uncle William's funeral. Lived at Deerfield, KS in 1934 when his father died. When his mother died in 1943 he was living in Sunnyvale, CA.

B. Edith May TIBBETS was born on 5 Aug 1890 in Osceola, Clarke Co, IA. She died on 10 Jan 1962 in Nashville, Kingman Co, KS. She was buried in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS.

Edith May TIBBETS and Oliver C LOUTHAN were married on 6 Mar 1910 in Nashville, Kingman Co, KS. Oliver C LOUTHAN (son of James LOUTHAN and Lucy E TURLEY) was born on 30 Sep 1889 in Hudson, Stafford Co, KS. He died on 25 Jul 1962 in Medicine Lodge, Barber Co, KS. He was buried in Highland Cem, Medicine Lodge, KS. His obituary in the Barber County Index said he went to Oklahoma when he was nine years old and to Barber Co., KS in 1900.

C. Maggie Pauline TIBBETS was born on 2 Jul 1897 in IA. She died on 12 Feb 1963 in Fresno, Fresno Co, CA. She was buried in Fowler Cem, Fowler, CA. She was listed in her father's obituary as Maggie Pauline and living in Granite, OK.

Maggie Pauline TIBBETS and Lawrence Leese BEAUCHAMP were married on 24 Sep 1915 in Sharon, Barber Co, KS. Lawrence Leese BEAUCHAMP (son of Harry Clinton BEAUCHAMP) was born on 23 Dec 1896 in KS. He died on 28 Dec 1969 in Fresno, Fresno Co, CA. He was buried in Fowler Cem, Fowler, CA.


Thanks to Della M. Shafer for contributing the above genealogical information to this web site!



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