William Benjamin Watkins

William Benjamin Watkins

• Father: Benjamin Watkins
• Mother: Anne (?)

• William Benjamin Watkins was born in December 1849 in South Wales.
• He married Elizabeth Partridge, daughter of John Partridge and Jemima (?), on 26 August 1875 in St. Thomas, Elgin County, Ontario, Canada, by license, with minister Thomas Baldwin officiating. Witnesses were Michael McQueen and Mrs. E. McQueen of Southwold.
• William Benjamin Watkins and Elizabeth Partridge appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Buffalo, Erie County, Pennsylvania, at 293 Herkimer Street. Other members of the household included Marie V. Watkins.
• He was a superintendent in a car wheel works, probably the National (locomotive) Car Wheel Works in Depew.
• William Benjamin Watkins and Elizabeth Partridge appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Buffalo, Erie County, Pennsylvania, at 101 Dorchester Road.
• He was president of an auto body company, accordin to the 1920 census.
• William Benjamin Watkins died on 10 September 1924 at age 74 in Erie County, New York, The Buffalo Morning Express: W. Benjamin Watkins died at his lakeshore home yesterday after an illness of several months. He came to Buffalo from Wales in his early youth and from here went to Canada in the employ of the Michigan Central railway, advancing to the position of master mechanic at Saint Thomas.
       Later Mr. Watkins returned to Buffalo to take charge of the New York Car Wheel works, with which firm he was connected for more than 30 years, and distinguished himself while thus associated, in connection with the building of the McAdoo tunnel. In 1917 he organized the Buffalo Commercial Body corporation.
       Mr. Watkins leaves a wife and two daughters, Mrs. Edith Gaudenzi and Mrs. Marie Dunn. . His death was officially witnessed by Elizabeth Partridge, Edith Watkins and Giuseppe Gaudenzi.
• The following appeared on 14 September 1924 in The Buffalo Courier: The many friends in the town of Mme. Edith Watkins-Gaudenzi, the operatic soprano, will sympathize with her in the recent loss of her father, William B. Watkins of Norwood avenue, whose death occurred at his summer home at Angola-on-the-Lake. [:CR;]      Mr. Watkins was a prominent business man, and of a quiet, unassuming nature, finding his greatest joy in his family. He was a man of exemplary character and high standing in the community. He was a great lover of the best in music and took great pride in Mme. Gaudenzi's musical career both here and abroad. The deep affection between father and daughter was a beautiful one, and Mme. Gaudenzi, whose home is in New York, did not take her usual trip abroad this summer, but has been in constant attendance at her father's bedside. Mr. Gaudenzi, who recently arrived from Italy, has also been spending some weeks here. Mr. Watkins is survived by his wife and his two daughters, Edith Watkins Gaudenzi and Marie Watkins Dunn.

• Last Edited: 13 Apr 2014