Rolandus Aurelian Watkins (1853-1929)

Portrait from Vol. 5. of Wisconsin, Its Story and Biography, 1913.

  Endowed with an impressive set of sidewhiskers and an even more impressive name, Rolandus Aurelian Watkins was a Wisconsin based attorney who attained local distinction in Grant County, where he served as city attorney for Lancaster. A candidate for both houses of the Wisconsin State Assembly, Watkins also served on the Wisconsin Democratic State Central Committee, taking his seat in 1898. Born in Grant County on January 15, 1853, Rolandus Aurelian "R.A." Watkins was the son of Stephen and Florinda (Hirst) Watkins.

  Watkins attended local schools as a child, and his higher education "came entirely of the result of his own efforts and utilization of opportunity." He decided on a career as an attorney and first read law in the Lancaster-based firm of Bushnell and Clark. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 and for three years clerked in the above-mentioned law office, working directly with Allen Ralph Bushnell (1833-1909). Bushnell, a future U.S. Representative from Wisconsin, invited Watkins to join his firm in the early 1880s, with the firm changing its name to Bushnell and Watkins in 1882. The firm added a third partner, Herbert Moses, in 1895.

  Rolandus A. Watkins married in Lancaster in 1881 to Ellen Clark (1858-1926), to who he was wed for over four decades. The couple's union produced five children, Charles Stephen (1883-1960), Ralph Bushnell (1884-1962), Margaret Louise (birthdate unknown), Ellen (1891-1968), and John Clark (1894-1963).

  Recorded in Wisconsin, Its Story and Biography, as an active Democratic party worker in his region, Watkins is erroneously noted as having never sought public office "at any time." In 1898 Watkins announced his candidacy for the Wisconsin State Assembly from Grant County. After garnering the Democratic nomination, he was opposed by incumbent Republican Thomas McDonald, also of Lancaster. In November 1898 Watkins polled 1,435 votes but was defeated by McDonald, who polled 2,110 votes.  Despite this loss, Watkins rebounded politically that same year when he was named to the Wisconsin Democratic State Central Committee, as a representative from the 3rd district. In this capacity Watkins also served as chairman of the Grant County Democratic Committee, continuing in that post until at least 1912.

  Following his defeat for the assembly Watkins returned to practicing law and continued activity in the local Congregational Church, where he and his wife were longtime parishioners. He served as its Sunday School superintendent and also was a church deacon, secretary, and treasurer. In 1901 Watkins visited the Oklahoma Territory, where he purchased a land claim which he later turned into a  "fine farm of considerable value". Watkins and his family would later permanently remove to Oklahoma, where he died in 1929.

From the Lancaster Teller, September 26, 1912.

  In 1912 Watkins launched his candidacy for the Wisconsin state senate, and that September defeated Rollo Oscar Bremmer for the Republican nomination, polling 1,000 votes. In addition to his victory, Watkins could boast of spending less than ten dollars on campaign expenses! That November he faced off against Republican Robert Glenn, and although he faired better than in his previous legislative run (polling 5,920 votes), it was Glenn who emerged victorious.

  Four years after his state senate run Rolandus Watkins began preparations to remove with his family to Oklahoma. Shortly before their move in December 1916 the family was feted with a reception by a number of prominent Lancaster citizens. Through early 1917 Watkins continued to "tie up the odds and ends" of his law practice in Lancaster before resettling in Lawton, where he engaged in farming. Watkins died at the home of his  daughter Nellie in Okemah, Oklahoma on October 10, 1929, aged 76. He was predeceased by his wife Ellen, and both were interred at the Highland Cemetery in Lawton. 

From the Madison Capital Times, October 25, 1929.