The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-05-16

DEATHOF Mr.. CHARLESWATKINS
A Prominent and Well Known Bust.
ness Man Passes Away.


A Prominent and Well Known Bust
ness Man Passes Away.
Our community was shocked Satur-
day afternoon at the announcement Of
the death of Mr.. Charles Watkins at
his home in Richmond, Va. Although
he had been sick for some time the in
telligence of his demise came in the
nature of painful surprise. Frequent
and solicitious inquiries on the part of
numerous friends here as to his condi-
ton had elected response from the
sick mans chamber that he was i'm
proving and little thought was enter
tanned or expressed that he would not
be speedily restored to health and bus
mess activity.
Mr. Watkins was we'll known and
greatly esteemed among our people.
He was largely identified with the bus
mess interests of Henderson and
always manifested lively concern in
the welfare and prosperity of the town.
Mr.. Watkins was the junior member
of the firm of S. & G.. Watkins, mer-
chants, and was also interested in the
leaf tobacco business besides having
large property interests here. He had
done much for the good Of the commu
nifty and in the magnificent three-story
brick building which stands on the cor
ner of Garnett and Breckenridge streets
he leaves lasting monument to his
public spirit and business sagacity, and
the faith he had in Henderson, having
built it jointly with his partner, Mr..
Samuel Watkins, few years ago.
Mr.. Watkins was a native OF this
State having been born aud raised in
in Milton, and was an uncle of the
Messrs. Watkins of Henderson. He
was charming and agreeable gentle
men socially, of dignified bearing, pol
ished manner and cOnsiderate DISPOSE
ton and numbered his friends among
all who knew him. His death removes
man whose sound judgment, unerring
guidance and ample means made him a
useful and honored citizen and a lead
| ing factor in business circles where he
moved, as his sterling qualities and ex-
allied virtues made him loved and es-
| teemed by his fellow men. The death
of such man is to be greatly lamented,
but he leaves behind him the legacy OF
a good name and worthy example.
| We take the following from the Rich
mond Dispatch of Sunday:
Mr.. Charles Watkins, one of the most
prominent and deservedly popular bust
ne 50 men OF this city, died at his home,
No. SIG west Franklin street, at O clock
Yesterday from heart-failure, superln
duced by a complication of diseases, from
which he had been suffering for some
time.
He had been confined to his room FOL
about weeks with typhoid fever, ane
although he was considered very SICK
man his condition was not regarded crit
ical until short while before his demise
and his death was, therefore, in the ma
ture of a shock to his many friends, bOtt
in this city and elsewhere.
Mr.. Watkins was q native OF Milton
n. c., in which place his connections ant
relatives are very numerous and ln1luen
tial. He was in business there for mum
Der of wears, being then connected wit
the tobacco firms of w. NJ. & c. Watkins
of Milton, and S. & G.. Watkins, OF Hen
derson, N. c.
In1S7S he removed to Richmond, ant
formed q copartnership with Messrs. Hl
& Skinker under the firm name OF Hill
Skinker & Watkins. This firm did
large business in bright tobacco, ant
became very we'll known in this sector
/ In 1882 he bought the concern out, an
thsreafter it was operated under the hrI
name of Charles Watkins 4 Co.
In addition to the tobacco lndustr le
in which he was eminently successful, n
| IL, AZ, IS IIpoo n
. of the National Bank of Virginia and TT
Virginia Trust Company, and was q a
l rector in and vice-president OF the fertll
I zinp house of G. Ober & Sons Compan.
D of Baltimore. We
! He married some years ago Miss VI
ginia Ober, q daughter of the late Gust'
Vus ODER, of Baltimore, and she, wit
I three cbldren-a son and two daughter
d. survive him. He was brother OF u
d John l.. Watkins, Of Durham, N. t., VIII
b WAS with him at his death, and Tor Sc
= eral weeks previous thereto.
The deceased was OF cheerful an
b hopeful disposition, and his quiet, uno
trusiye demeanOr and exceeding affab
ity to all alike made him many war
r friends. His discriminating and Gle
d and quick Judgment made his prom
l nence and popularity marked, as L
Y business career was successfully and en'
: getically pursued. His death was
o severe blow to the tobacco interests
2 this section, and his influence in busne
~ circles will be sorely missed. He was
o one time president of the Tobacco boa1
of Trade here. 80 {.
Mr.. Watkins was a consistent Chrl
he ian gentleman and for years had been
" member of DR.. Hoges church.
III