John Watkins, Fayette, Seneca Co., NY - NYGenWeb, part of the USGenWeb Project USGenWeb Project NYGenWeb Project


John Watkins, Fayette, Seneca Co., NY

Biographical Sketch from Centennial Historical Sketch of Fayette, Seneca Co., NY 1800-1900 by Diedrich Willers [Press of W.F. Humphrey, Geneva, NY, 1900; reprinted by W.E. Morrison & Co., Ovid, NY, 1982], p.94.

      "John Watkins was born in the eastern part of the State of Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, July 29, 1776.
      In 1804 he removed to Geneva, Ontario County, N.Y., and the following year (1805) removed to South Waterloo, Seneca County, then locally known as Skoiyase. Here he engaged in mercantile business in the year of his arrival, his business gradually extending to that of a general store, embracing a large variety of merchandise. Later on he became interested here in a grist mill, a wool carding and cloth dressing establishment, a tannery, and several other branches of business, his enterprise and public spirit making its impress upon the business of the village.
      He was early appointed one of the magistrates of the Town of Fayette, and served also for a number of years as one of the associate judges of the court of common pleas for Seneca County. He was elected supervisor of Fayette in 1813, upon the decease of Israel Catlin and was re-elected for the three following years, during which he served as clerk of the board (the clerk at that time being chosen from the supervisors forming the board.)
      Judge Watkins was married in 1810 to Miss Mary Keeler, in which union three sons and two daughters were born to them.
      Judge Watkins died Feb. 28, 1854.
      Two of his sons, Charles K. and Benjamin, were members of the legal profession, and are now deceased.
      A daughter, Mrs. Lucinda Mariner, of Milwaukee, Wis., was recently still living in that city.

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