Blood Poisoning Takes Life of Prominent Etna Doctor
Dr. Charles D. Watkins Succumbs in Columbus Hospital; Rites Tuesday
Dr. Charles D. Watkins, 78, practicing physician in Etna for 55 years, died Saturday in Mt. Carmel hospital, Columbus, following two weeks' serious illness.
Dr. Watkins death was due to blood poisoning, the result of bumping his shin bone against a box in his office. However, following the injury he continued to call on patients until he was no longer able to get around and was moved to the hospital.
One of the few physicians from the "old school," Dr. Watkins had been practicing his profession since he was graduated form the old Ohio Medical college in 1886. He spent a year in Kirkersville.
His work reached back to the days of the horse and buggy, bad roads and no telephones. Never once, his townsfolks say, did he fail to brave any kind of weather to reach a patient and had often walked miles to make calls when weather conditions made driving impossible years ago. In winters of heavy snows his sleigh was a family sight about the locality and he often told of the times he had to get out and break a path through the snowdrifts for his team. Later he became an ardent motorist.
Dr. Watkins pioneered in surgery in the days when hospitals were not numerous and operations were necessary in the homes. The obstetrical cases he had cared for numbered thousands and many of the children born had been named for him.
In his early life Dr. Watkins found time for sports and politics. In 1905 and 1906 he served in the Ohio house of representatives and the following two years as state senator.
Dr. Watkins was a member of York lodge, F. and A. M. of Pataskala, Knights Templar and Shrine of Columbus.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Jessie G. Watkins; three daughters, Mrs. Irma V. Rectos of Columbus, Mrs. Ruth M. White of Saginaw, Mich., Mrs. Marcia Ruel of Jacksonville, Fla., and a son, Dr. Charles H. Watkins, member of the staff at Mayo Institute, Rochester, Minn; nine grand children and one great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in the Watkins home in Etna and burial will be made in Kirkersville.
Newark Advocate, June 29, 1942, page 1