From his obituary:
"Maj. Joseph C. Watkins was born in Pike County, Missouri, Sept.1, 1877, but went to Texas at the age of ten and got his education at the Ennis High School. He was raised among the Texas ranchers and was proud to have served in the saddle with the Texans as a cowpuncher, getting an outdoor training that stood him in good stead throughout his life. In 1898 he left Texas and entered the Missouri University School of Mines and Metallurgy at Rolla, Mo., graduating in 1901. In the fall of 1901 he went to Southeast Missouri as manager of the MacDonald Land and Mining Co. for August Heckscher and his associates, remaining for 18 years with that company. During part of this time he served in the Missouri National Guards as a captain in the Second Infantry. He entered the World War in June, 1917, as captain in the Engineers Corps and served through the war, being discharged Jan. 11, 1919, as Major of U.S. Engineers.
Mr. Heckscher then asked Mr. Watkins to come to Florida as manager of the Empire Land Co., one of the largest land owners in Florida and organized by Mr. Heckscher and his associates. At that time it owned about one million acres of land in this state. In looking over the state for a place to make his home Maj. Watkins was attracted by the beauty of this lake and hill section and made his home here.
He built a fine home on Lake Wailes about three years ago and got great pleasure out of his home life. He was a lover of outdoor sports, and could be seen on the lake in the early morning in his canoe, often accompanied by his wife or daughter. He was a good man, a fine husband and father and a conscientious citizen."
"Maj. Joseph C. Watkins was born in Pike County, Missouri, Sept.1, 1877, but went to Texas at the age of ten and got his education at the Ennis High School. He was raised among the Texas ranchers and was proud to have served in the saddle with the Texans as a cowpuncher, getting an outdoor training that stood him in good stead throughout his life. In 1898 he left Texas and entered the Missouri University School of Mines and Metallurgy at Rolla, Mo., graduating in 1901. In the fall of 1901 he went to Southeast Missouri as manager of the MacDonald Land and Mining Co. for August Heckscher and his associates, remaining for 18 years with that company. During part of this time he served in the Missouri National Guards as a captain in the Second Infantry. He entered the World War in June, 1917, as captain in the Engineers Corps and served through the war, being discharged Jan. 11, 1919, as Major of U.S. Engineers.
Mr. Heckscher then asked Mr. Watkins to come to Florida as manager of the Empire Land Co., one of the largest land owners in Florida and organized by Mr. Heckscher and his associates. At that time it owned about one million acres of land in this state. In looking over the state for a place to make his home Maj. Watkins was attracted by the beauty of this lake and hill section and made his home here.
He built a fine home on Lake Wailes about three years ago and got great pleasure out of his home life. He was a lover of outdoor sports, and could be seen on the lake in the early morning in his canoe, often accompanied by his wife or daughter. He was a good man, a fine husband and father and a conscientious citizen."
From his obituary:
"Maj. Joseph C. Watkins was born in Pike County, Missouri, Sept.1, 1877, but went to Texas at the age of ten and got his education at the Ennis High School. He was raised among the Texas ranchers and was proud to have served in the saddle with the Texans as a cowpuncher, getting an outdoor training that stood him in good stead throughout his life. In 1898 he left Texas and entered the Missouri University School of Mines and Metallurgy at Rolla, Mo., graduating in 1901. In the fall of 1901 he went to Southeast Missouri as manager of the MacDonald Land and Mining Co. for August Heckscher and his associates, remaining for 18 years with that company. During part of this time he served in the Missouri National Guards as a captain in the Second Infantry. He entered the World War in June, 1917, as captain in the Engineers Corps and served through the war, being discharged Jan. 11, 1919, as Major of U.S. Engineers.
Mr. Heckscher then asked Mr. Watkins to come to Florida as manager of the Empire Land Co., one of the largest land owners in Florida and organized by Mr. Heckscher and his associates. At that time it owned about one million acres of land in this state. In looking over the state for a place to make his home Maj. Watkins was attracted by the beauty of this lake and hill section and made his home here.
He built a fine home on Lake Wailes about three years ago and got great pleasure out of his home life. He was a lover of outdoor sports, and could be seen on the lake in the early morning in his canoe, often accompanied by his wife or daughter. He was a good man, a fine husband and father and a conscientious citizen."
"Maj. Joseph C. Watkins was born in Pike County, Missouri, Sept.1, 1877, but went to Texas at the age of ten and got his education at the Ennis High School. He was raised among the Texas ranchers and was proud to have served in the saddle with the Texans as a cowpuncher, getting an outdoor training that stood him in good stead throughout his life. In 1898 he left Texas and entered the Missouri University School of Mines and Metallurgy at Rolla, Mo., graduating in 1901. In the fall of 1901 he went to Southeast Missouri as manager of the MacDonald Land and Mining Co. for August Heckscher and his associates, remaining for 18 years with that company. During part of this time he served in the Missouri National Guards as a captain in the Second Infantry. He entered the World War in June, 1917, as captain in the Engineers Corps and served through the war, being discharged Jan. 11, 1919, as Major of U.S. Engineers.
Mr. Heckscher then asked Mr. Watkins to come to Florida as manager of the Empire Land Co., one of the largest land owners in Florida and organized by Mr. Heckscher and his associates. At that time it owned about one million acres of land in this state. In looking over the state for a place to make his home Maj. Watkins was attracted by the beauty of this lake and hill section and made his home here.
He built a fine home on Lake Wailes about three years ago and got great pleasure out of his home life. He was a lover of outdoor sports, and could be seen on the lake in the early morning in his canoe, often accompanied by his wife or daughter. He was a good man, a fine husband and father and a conscientious citizen."
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