John T. Watkins
John Thomas Watkins (January 15, 1854 â April 25, 1925) was a Democratic U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district with service from 1905 to 1921. An attorney in his hometown of Minden in Webster Parish, Watkins was a state district court judge prior to his election to Congress.[1]
| John Thomas Watkins | |
 | |
| In office March 4, 1905 â March 3, 1921 | |
| Preceded by | Phanor Breazeale |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | John N. Sandlin |
Judge of Louisiana's 2nd Judicial District Court (since 26th District)
| |
| In office June 2, 1900 â December 8, 1904 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Cleveland Drew |
| Succeeded by | Richard Cleveland Drew |
| Born | January 15, 1854 Minden, Louisiana, USA |
| Died | April 25, 1925 (aged 71) |
| Resting place | Minden Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Murrell Watkins (died 1921) |
| Relations | Lynn Kyle Watkins (brother) |
| Children | Flora Lizzie Watkins (1881-1889) Willie Murrell Watkins (1861-1890) |
| Alma mater | Minden Male Academy Cumberland University |
| Occupation | Attorney |
| Religion | Methodist |
Watkins attended the public schools in Minden and graduated from the Minden Male Academy, a forerunner of Minden High School. He then studied for three years at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. As was then customary, Watkins studied law privately, was admitted to the bar in 1878, and opened his practice in Minden. He was elected judge in 1900 and served in that capacity until 1904. His father, Kentucky native John D. Watkins, was also a judge.[2]
He briefly resumed his law practice prior to his election to Congress. He defeated incumbent fellow Democrat Phanor Breazeale of Natchitoches for re-nomination in 1904 and was seated with the incoming 59th Congress on March 4, 1905, during the administration of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt. In his fourth term, he became the chairman of the House Committee on Revision of the Laws.[3]
Watkins rarely faced serious opposition in his reelection bids until he was defeated for a ninth term in 1920 by John Nicholas Sandlin (1872-1957), another state district court judge from Minden. In 1908, Watkins defeated two opponents in the general election by a lopsided margin. He polled 88.2 percent of the ballots compared to 5.5 percent for Republican John F. Slattery. W . S. Emmons, the candidate of the Socialist Party of America, outpolled Slattery, having finished with 6.3 percent of the vote.[4]
After Watkins surrendered his congressional seat to Sandlin, he practiced law in Washington, D.C., until his death.[3] Like Watkins, Sandlin would also hold the Fourth District House seat for eight terms.
Like Sandlin, Watkins is interred in the original section of Minden Cemetery, alongside his wife, the former Elizabeth Murrell (1858-1921). Also interred at Minden Cemetery are his parents, John D. and Mahala Flora Mora Watkins. His mother (1834-1899) was a native of Walton County, Georgia.[5]
References
- â Watkins, John T.. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved on August 31, 2020.
- â List of District Judges for Webster Parish, Webster Parish Centennial Booklet, 1971, Webster Parish Police Jury publication.
- â 3.0 3.1 Watkins, John Thomas. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774- Present. Retrieved on August 31, 2020.
- â Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections, U.S. House of Representatives, 1904â1920.
- â Mahala Flora Morrow Watkins. Findagrave.com. Retrieved on August 31, 2020.