Bio: John T. Watkins, Webster Par., Louisiana
Source:  Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez
Date: April 2000



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===John T. Watkins, attorney, Minden, La.  The subject of this sketch 
is a native-born resident of Webster Par., Louisianaand as such is looked 
upon with great pride by the people of the locality as a representa-
tive son of a cultured and refined commonwealth.  To live an entire 
life in one community and still retain the reputation which Mr. 
Watkins enjoys, is by no means as easy as it is for a stranger to 
come into a place where he is entirely unknown and by his upright 
conduct of a short period win the esteem of the public.  Of thorough 
education, a close student of, and well versed in law, Mr. Watkins 
has at the same time to a more than ordinary degree, the natural 
attributes essential to a successful career at the bar and in public.  
He was born in the town of Minden, La., on January 15, 1854, and is a 
son of Judge Watkins, whose sketch precedes this.  He received a most 
thorough education in Minden Male Academy, and after completing his 
course in that institution he took a most thorough course at Cumberland 
University, Tenn.  Unfortunately, Mr. Watkins was obliged to abandon 
his class a few weeks before graduation from this on account of the 
dangerous illness of his brother.  He was a brilliant orator, and 
extemporaneous speaker while at school, and has prized offered by the 
faculty of these institutions for the best declamation and orations.  
These medals were prizes offered for the highest degree shown in 
declamations and orations both at Minden College and Cumberland 
University.  For his superior ability as a speaker, Mr. Watkins 
was chosen to deliver the valedictory at the commencement, but 
owing to his brother's illness, as above mentioned, he had to give 
up this honor and return home.  After completing his studies at 
college he entered his father's office and read law with him for 
two years, being admitted to the bar in July, 1878.  He then entered 
into partnership with his father, and now has been in active practice 
for twelve years.  Although a young man, Mr. Watkins has shown great 
ability as an attorney, and has successfully handled a number of very 
important cases.  Like his father, he possesses the rare ability of 
getting at the bottom and of bringing out every point of importance 
to his case.  He has an acute sense of humor, unquestioned integrity, 
and has liberal, progressive ideas.  He is a hard worker and a close 
student.  His brilliant delivery commands and rivets the attention of 
all and he will, without doubt, before long, stand at the head of the 
bar of Louisiana.  Mr. Watkins was married in Minden, La., on January 15, 
1879, to Miss Lizzie R. Murrell, daughter of Drury Murrell, of South 
Carolina, and one of the pioneers of this parish.  Mrs. Watkins was 
born and reared in Minden, and is a graduate of Minden College.  To 
this union have been born four children, three of whom are now living: 
Dana, Willie Kyle and Mary Ella.  Mr. and Mrs. Watkins are members of 
the Baptist Church, where both were baptized and taken into the church 
on the same day, several years before their marriage.