History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

1758 HISTORY OF MICHIGAN
turn home Mr. Watkins was appointed clerk in the office of the Adjutant
General at Lansing, under Governor Stanley Turner, and he served three
years and a half in that office. Then, in 1897, he entered the law department of the University of Michigan and he was graduated with his
Bachelor's degree in the class of I899. Soon thereafter he came to Grand
Rapids and engaged in practice, but in January, 1901, he was appointed
clerk in the Adjutant General's office again, which post he accepted, and
held for a few months until he was appointed State Examiner of Taxable
Business, and in that capacity Mr. Watkins visited every county seat in
the state in his work of examining the records of the probate court for
taxable properties. He continued for three years in the office, and then,
in 1904, he resumed the practice of law in Grand Rapids. In I907 he was
appointed Register of the Probate Court of Kent county and he held that
office for four years and three months. In 1913 he served as law clerk
in the State Senate at Lansing, at the close of which service he once more
turned his attention to the practice of his profession, with the intention
of devoting his entire attention to it hereafter.
Mr. Watkins is especially endowed by nature for the successful prosecution of his chosen profession, and it is anticipated by all who are familiar with his talents that he will make a name for himself in the legal
fraternity of this section.
On August 25, 1909, Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Lucretia R.
Shipp, born in Montgomery county, Alabama. She came to Michigan in
1882 with her parents, Zelatus and Flora (Kibbey) Shipp, the former a
native of the state of Ohio and the latter of Allegan county, Michigan.
Mrs. Shipp was a daughter of George W. and Emily Kibbey, natives of
Ohio, but pioneers to Allegan county in the early days. George Kibbey
died a good many years ago, and his widow, who still lives, is in her ninetysecond year, though she married after the death of Mr. Kibbey, a Mr.
Hadley, who also is deceased.
Mr. Watkins is prominent in social and fraternal circles, as well as
among the members of his profession, and he claims membership in
Lodge No. 40o A. F. & A. M., De Well Consistory and Saladin Temple
A. A. O. N. M. S. in the Masonic order. He is also a member df Grand
Rapids Chapter No. 2, Knights of Pythias, of Kent Camp Io80, Modern
Woodmen of America; of the K. O. T. M.; Loyal Order of Moose No.
50; and of the I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Order of the
Eastern Star. He is a member of the Republican Club, of the Local and
State Business Men's Association, and of the Alumni of the University of
Michigan.