Home > United States of America > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Lake View Cemetery > Ralph R Watkins

Ralph R Watkins

View larger map

1 / 3

2 / 3

3 / 3

❮ ❯

Ralph R Watkins

Birth	:	4 Dec 1854 Solon Mills, McHenry County, Illinois, USA
Death	:	5 Jul 1913 Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.5130997, -81.5982971
Description	:	marriage: 4 Dec 1876 Waverly, Bremer, Iowa spouse: Lydia J. Chambers Census 1900 Lafayette Township, Bremer, Ia Age 46 Marital Status Married Race White Years Married 23 Birth Date Dec 1854 Birthplace Illinois Marriage Year (Estimated) 1877 Father's Birthplace Vermont Mother's Birthplace New York Ralph Watkins Head M 46 Illinois Lyda J Watkins Wife F 44 Iowa Willie A Watkins Son M 23 Iowa Faith E Watkins Daughter F 21 Iowa Luzinda M Chambers Mother-in-law F 72 New York The news of the death of few citizens of... Read More	marriage: 4 Dec 1876 Waverly, Bremer, Iowa spouse: Lydia J. Chambers Census 1900 Lafayette Township, Bremer, Ia Age 46 Marital Status Married Race White Years Married 23 Birth Date Dec 1854 Birthplace Illinois Marriage Year (Estimated) 1877 Father's Birthplace Vermont Mother's Birthplace New York Ralph Watkins Head M 46 Illinois Lyda J Watkins Wife F 44 Iowa Willie A Watkins Son M 23 Iowa Faith E Watkins Daughter F 21 Iowa Luzinda M Chambers Mother-in-law F 72 New York The news of the death of few citizens of Bremer county has carried with it such a sense of personal sorrow and bereavement as did that of Ralph R. Watkins, who spent the greater part of his life in this county. People liked him as a boy and respected and honored him as a man and their regard was the result of his many sterling traits of character. He was honorable and upright in every relation of life and sought to make his advancing years a period of greater usefulness and service to his fellowmen. He was born in Solon, Illinois, December 4, 1854, but the following year was brought by his parents to Bremer county and his youth was spent as a farm boy with the usual experiences of the lad who divides his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. Sterling traits of character were developed in him as he grew to manhood and he became one of the helpful and progressive citizens of the county. Early in life he engaged in farming, to which he devoted a number of years. He afterward removed to Waverly, where he became a partner of his father, M.M. Watkins, in the ice, coal and lumber business. They established the enterprise in the early '80s and continued together in the successful conduct and management of the business until the father's death in 1892. Ralph R. Watkins afterward disposed of the lumber and coal yard and his family removed to the farm, where he continued to work at the carpenter's trade for a number of years. At length he returned to this city, establishing his family in a comfortable home in Waverly, where he continued to reside from 1904 until his death, living practically retired during that period, although he was president of the Building & Loan Association of Waverly. He was also the owner of some valuable land in the Hood River valley of Oregon, a district worldly famous for its fine apples and other fruits. He likewise owned land in this county and from his investments derived a substantial income. On his twenty-second birthday, December 4, 1876, Mr. Watkins was united in marriage to Miss Lydia J. Chambers, a daughter of Daniel H. and Mary L. (Lawrence) Chambers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Watkins were born two children. Willie Austin, born September 30, 1877, married Miss Rose Scully and resides in Waverly. He is manager and superintendent of the Willow Lawn Farm. Faith Eleanor, born January 2, 1879, is the wife of Herbert Murray. The death of Ralph R. Watkins occurred July 5, 1913. He passed away at his beautiful home in Waverly, a house which he had erected and which is one of the finest in the city. He was one of the trustees of Des Moines College and was interested in all that pertained to the intellectual and moral progress of county and state. As he prospered in his undertakings, he gave generously in support of many worthy public movements, taking a lively interest in the development of the city and in assisting with advice and funds those whom he deemed worthy of help. He never entered into any compromise with wrong in the slightest degree and it was ever his earnest desire to see the right triumph. He gave most generously to aid the church work and cooperated in many movements resulting in the moral progress of the community. He had been a conscientious member of the Baaptist church since 1877 and had taken an active and helpful part in various branches of the church work. He was filling the office of deacon and was superintendent of the Sunday School and also president of the board of trustees at the time of his death. He gave most liberally to support the church work and did not hesitate to put forth earnest personal effort for its upbuilding. He was a man of strong conviction, always fearless in defense of what he believed to be right. To his family he was a devoted husband and father and was ever a faithful and loyal friend. Mrs. Watkins still lives in Waverly and is a member of the Woman's Club of the city, where she is prominent socially. The friendship which many entertained for Mr. Watkins during his boyhood days continued through life and the number constantly increased as the circle of his acquaintance broadened. He had the good qualities which in every land and clime awaken respect and admiration and many years will pass before those who knew him will cease to mourn his loss. Perhaps no better estimate of his life and character can be given than by quoting from the Standard, a Baptist newspaper, of August 2, 1913, which said: "Ralph Watkins of Waverly, who passed to his reward on July 5, 1913, was a man who filled a large place in his own community and in the more extended blessings of the kingdom of God. Always generous of heart, he did not become selfish in the use of wealth when it came to him. His pocketbook was alway open to the local church in all its enterprises and to Des Moines College, of which he was a valued trustee. Everyone who knew him loved him and the number attending his funeral was an evidence of this. His pastor, J.W. Griffith, paid an eloquent tribute to him on the day of the funeral. Mr. Watkins was more than half a Baptist and less than a Baptist and a half - he was a whole Baptist spelled with a capital B. Strong in his convictions of truth, he stood like a cube of granite; but in sympathy for every good cause he was tender as a mother. The temperance forces lost a loyal soldier in him and he fought the saloon with all his mind, might and money. At one time he gave Des Moines College five thousand dollars and other gifts. He carried the school in his heart and rejoiced in every evidence of its prosperity. His brave wife stood by him always and encouraged him in every worthy enterprise. His loss is inestimable, but she remains to carry on the work he would have done had he lived. As we close the tribute we cannot suppress the prayer; "God give us more men like Ralph R. Watkins.'" [History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914]

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Ralph R Watkins's memorial?
Ralph R Watkins's memorial is located at: Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA.
When did Ralph R Watkins death?
Ralph R Watkins death on 5 Jul 1913 in Waverly, Bremer County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Ralph R Watkins's memorial?
Latitude: 41.5130997
Longitude: -81.5982971

Family Members:

Parent

Miner M Watkins

(1829 - 1892)

Louisa S Terry Watkins

(1831 - 1862)

Spouse

Lydia Jeanette Chambers Watkins

(1856 - 1920)

Siblings

Frank W Watkins

(1857 - 1875)

Mary DeEtte Watkins

(1859 - 1877)

Ray E Watkins

(1874 - 1894)

Children

William Austin Watkins

(1877 - 1955)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Lake View Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5130997, -81.5982971

2. East Cleveland Township Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5149994, -81.6010971

3. Church of the Covenant Columbarium
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5079200, -81.6068400

4. Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5115700, -81.6130905

5. Mayfield Cemetery
Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5133018, -81.5821991

6. Epworth Euclid United Methodist Church Columbarium
Euclid, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5058200, -81.6124990

7. Saint Pauls Episcopal Church Columbarium
Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4956350, -81.5812450

8. Fairmount Presbyterian Church Columbarium
Cleveland Heights, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4932930, -81.5801210

9. Glenville Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5419006, -81.5924988

10. Saint Josephs Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4869003, -81.6318970

11. First Presbyterian Churchyard
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5448230, -81.5665800

12. Shaker Burial Ground
Shaker Heights, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4827766, -81.5628128

13. Woodland Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4900017, -81.6425018

14. Saint John Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4860992, -81.6408005

15. Warrensville West Cemetery
Shaker Heights, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4655991, -81.5655975

16. Saint John Lutheran Cemetery
South Euclid, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5186005, -81.5222015

17. Trinity Cathedral Crypt
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5013350, -81.6741750

18. Kellogg Family Cemetery
South Euclid, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5186390, -81.5200930

19. Baxter Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4596596, -81.6432800

20. Erie Street Cemetery
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4972687, -81.6831131

21. Christ Episcopal Church Columbarium
Shaker Heights, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4658356, -81.5362854

22. Church of the Good Shepherd Columbarium
Lyndhurst, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5032240, -81.5107610

23. Cathedral of Saint John the Evangelist Crypt
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5026817, -81.6886139

24. Euclid Cemetery
Euclid, Cuyahoga County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5656013, -81.5381012