Individual Details
James Ransom Watkins
(11 May 1823 - 18 Aug 1893)
In the history of Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties: "J. R. Watkins, a druggist of Eureka, Navarro county, was born in South Carolina in 1823, a son of J. R. Watkins."
"J. R. Watkins grew to manhood on his father's farm in Georgia. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits in that state until 1854, when he brought his teams and slaves to Upshur county, Texas. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Tenth Texas Cavalry, the first company raised in his county, but was soon afterward discharged on account of disability. He afterward re-enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fifth Texas Cavalry, and served in Louisiana and Texas. Mr Watkins was engaged in farming in Upshur county until 1880, and that year embarked in the drug business, in which he has ever since continued. In his political views he is a strong Democrat, having cast his first vote for James Polk."
"J. R. Watkins grew to manhood on his father's farm in Georgia. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits in that state until 1854, when he brought his teams and slaves to Upshur county, Texas. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Tenth Texas Cavalry, the first company raised in his county, but was soon afterward discharged on account of disability. He afterward re-enlisted in Company I, Thirty-fifth Texas Cavalry, and served in Louisiana and Texas. Mr Watkins was engaged in farming in Upshur county until 1880, and that year embarked in the drug business, in which he has ever since continued. In his political views he is a strong Democrat, having cast his first vote for James Polk."
Events
| Birth | 11 May 1823 | South Carolina | |||
| Marriage | 1845 | Grantsville, GA - Mary Jane Turner |  | ||
| Death | 18 Aug 1893 | Navarro county, TX |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Jane Turner (1828 - 1889) |
| Child | William Benjaman Wordsworth Watkins (1851 - 1915) |
| Father | James W. Watkins (1788 - 1880) |
| Mother | Emelia Penson (1792 - 1880) |