Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-23
MR.. JOEL 3. WATKINS.
Death of This Well-Known Citizen Of Rich
mond.

Mr.. Joel Brown Watkins died on Sunday
at the Rockbridge Alum Springs, and his
/ body was brought TO this city yesterday
| and the funeral took place from the First
/ Baptist church, of which he had long been
/ "a member
/ Mr.. Watkins was q son Of Rev. Henry w.
| Watkins, deceased. and was born IN Pow
/ hatan county slXty-tour years ago and re-
cciycd a very liberal education. In early
manhood he was for many years an omploye
of the great dry goods house hero Of Kent,
/ Paine Il Kent. Later he became member
of the firm of Price, Bailey x Watkins. who
also conducted "a dry goods business. Upon
the dissolution of tins firm he and the late
Mr.. James b. Ficklcn established the house
of Watkins Il Hcklen, which occupied "a
store ON Main street few doors above the
present American Hotel and n was in full
and successful operation and one OF the
leading dry goods establishments of the
city when the war broke out. For con-
siderable period he was an and ON the stan
of General Gusts Lee and was taken prl-
soncr at the battle of Sailors Creek. Upon
the cessation of hostiliues he resumed
husiuess-hfe in Richmond. and was for a
LONG time proprietor of wood and coal
yard
He was one of the founders Of the Young
Mems Christian Association IN Richmond,
several terms. lie was active IN church
and SUNDAY school matters and was often
put forward as speaker. He was also
writer of decided ability, and many of hs
contributions found their way into the
columns of the daily and weekly press. He
wrote with great tluency and had fine
command of language, and was gated 10
argument.
Soon after Mr.. Cleveland was elected
. L.
perintcndeut of Schools for the Territory
of Arizona and located ~ san Carlos. Here
ne remained eighteen months. lie was
never strong inAu and the climate did NOT
suit him at ALI lie stayed at his
post long after he was advised To
seek change. and the result was
that he came home last year almost
helpless from lung and throat troubles. 4
month ago he went 10 the Rockbudee
Alum Springs. where he also spent last
summer. hoping that the waters would
nrolone his life: a cure he did not expect.
Ills wife and number of relatives We're 40
his bedside when hte's journey ended for
mm.
Mr.. Watkins married a Miss Blair
sister of John and Albert Blair. She sur
wives and with her one chId-Mr~. Htll,
of Washington city. Hls surviving
brothers are Messrs Claiborne Wat Nus,
4. j. Watkins, Charles +. Watkins. ami \.
:. Watkins. and he1rayes one SISTER, Mrs.
Nanccy. theWife of Professor \. n. fancey.
Mr. Natkins's remains were brought
TO the city yesterday. and IN The
evening tie funeral took place from
the First Baptist church. where great
number of his old friends assembled
10 pay their last tribute of respect The
intermcnt was AT HOLLYWOOD. Z he services
were conducted by Rev Or Laudrum the
pastor of the church being absent,
The pall-bearers were as follows: Mayor
J. 1aylor kllysou. Professor c. al.
Winston. Hugh Blair. john q. Mosby,
James Gordon. James p. tllerson, Jeter
Bosher John c. Williams. d. o. Davis, Ju-
MUS A. Morris, Professor II. II. Harris.