Temperance leader Aaron Watkins (1863-1941) practiced law with his brother.

He was later ordained as a Methodist minister. Watkins held Ohio pastorates in the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were in 15 towns and cities.

Prohibitionist

Aaron S. Watkins was very active in the Prohibition Party. He served as the Party candidate for many offices. They included Attorney-General, Representative, Secretary of State, and Governor of Ohio. He served as vice-presidential candidate in 1908 and 1912. In 1920, he was the Party candidate for the presidency of the US. In that campaign, he and is running mate, D. Leigh Colvin, received 189,408 votes.

Aaron S. Watkins was born on November 29, 1863, near Rushsylvania, Ohio. His parents, William White Watkins and Rebecca J. Elliott Watkins had ten children. He was the youngest of his siblings. They all predeceased him.

Educator

Dr. Watkins was an educator and leader in that field. He was the teacher in a one-room school. Then an instructor at Miami Military Institute (Germantown, Ohio).

Watkins was next head of the English Department and vice-president of Ohio Northern University. Then he became president of Asbury College (now Asbury University). During WW I, he was an instructor and held the rank of Captain in the US Army.

Honorary Degrees

Aaron Watkins received various honorary degrees.

• • Bachelor of Science.
  • Master of Science.
  • Doctor of Divinity.
  • Doctor of Laws.
  • Doctor of Philosophy.
  • Doctor of Humane Letters.

During his career, Aaron Watkins was linked with such national figures as William Jennings Bryan. Also Clarence Darrow, Carrie Nation, and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Aaron Watkins was the grandfather of W. Dean Watkins. His grandson was the Prohibition Party candidate for vice-presidency of the US in 2000. The elder Watkins would have been proud.

Aaron Watkins

Web

• • Temperance Timelines.  (One of six part series.)
  • Beginnings of Temperance in US.  (One of a seven part series.)
  • Prohibition Party.
  • Political Graveyard.
  • Temperance Leaders.
  • Prohibition and Progressives.
  • Prohibition and Repeal Experiences of Various States.