Santa Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM D. WATKINS
Among the prominent and well-known business men of San Jose is W. D. Watkins, who occupies a conspicuous position as manager, and one of the directors, of the Watkins Manufacturing Company. Possessing great mechanical ability and ingenuity he has won recognition in the scientific world by his inventions, one of the most important of which is the Watkins Selective Ringing Device for use on telephones, which he invented in 1900, and on which he has now eleven different patents. This selective Ringer and lockout will prove a boon to all telephone subscribers who have not a private wire, as by its use each subscriber will have but one bell as his call, and no call but his own can be heard. Of stanch New England stock, Mr. Watkins was born in Chicago, Ill., January 10, 1862, a son of Elias Watkins.
Born and reared in New England, Elias Watkins removed to Illinois when a young man, and for several years was an employe of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, being an engineer on that road. He died in early manhood, being killed in a railway wreck in 1863, when his son, W. D. Watkins was but a year old. He married Emma Wilcoxon, who was born in Rockford, Ill., a daughter of T. J. Wilcoxon. She died in Fredonia, Kans., in 1876. Mr. Wilcoxon studied law when young, was admitted to the bar, but afterward was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Rockford, Ill. Removing from there to Harrisonville, Mo., in 1868, he opened a law office, but subsequently located near Osceola, St.. Clair county, Mo., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until his death. He was a Democrat in politics, and influential in party affairs.
The only child of his parents, W. D. Watkins lived in Durand, Ill., until 1868, when he went to Missouri, where he received the rudiments of his education, subsequently completing his early studies in the public schools of Kansas. He was but fourteen years old when his mother died and he had even then begun earning wages as clerk in a store in Fredonia, Kans., where he remained until fifteen years old. Returning to Missouri in 1874, Mr. Watkins was for some time a clerk in Appleton City. Removing from there to Osceola, Mo., he was engaged in business for himself as a merchant for six years. In May, 1896, Mr. Watkins came to San Jose, and buying a ranch he began its improvements. Setting out a large orchard of prune and peach trees, he built dryers and established a substantial business as an orchardist. In 1902 he bought a pleasant residence at No. 328 Delmos avenue, and moved into the city. About 1900, Mr. Watkins began the invention of the Selective ringer and lockout for telephones, and on July 2, 1901, secured his first patent on the device. He has continued patenting and perfecting this and other things, and subsequently incorporated the Watkins Manufacturing Company, of which he is manager and director. Mr. Watkins is now perfecting an automatic switchboard which will do away with a central operator. His inventions are all of great merit, simple and practical, and are not only cheap, but do satisfactory work. His machines have been on exhibition in different cities, receiving much attention and commendation. He is also connected with other industries in San Jose, being president of the United States Steam Laundry Company.
In Osceola, Mo., Mr. Watkins married Mary Tandy, who was born in Knox county, Mo., a daughter of Judge John F. Tandy, a minister in the Christian Church, who was judge for fourteen years, was also state senator, and for a number of terms represented McDonough county in the state legislature. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Watkins four children have been born, namely: John, Buena, Raymond and Beatrice. Mrs. Watkins is a member of the Christian Church.
Transcribed
4-26-16 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource:
History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 1188-1149. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2016 Marilyn R.
Pankey.