McCLANE WATKINS, farmer; P.O. Petersburg; son of Thomas an Mary (Greene) Watkins, among the first white settlers of the Territory of Illinois; they came from Kentucky to this Territory before the war of 1812, and during the war of 1812 he served as a ranger for three years, and settled at Clary's Grove in 1819; he had done much in his time for the development of the country, and had accumulated a good property, which he left to his children. The subject of this sketch was born near where he now resides Dec. 28, 1826, and this has always been his home; his knowledge of the early settlement of Menard Co. is thorough and reliable, and the name of Watkins as pioneers is well known throughout Central Illinois; he owns 392 acres of fine land. He has twice married, first to Miss Hannah E. Jones, of this county, Sept. 6, 1858; she died Oct. 13, 1866, leaving two children; in 1870, he married his present wife.