Background
Watkins, James Stephen was born on November 14, 1892 in London, Kentucky, United States. Son of Nathaniel and Dorcas (Chestnut) Watkins.
Watkins, James Stephen was born on November 14, 1892 in London, Kentucky, United States. Son of Nathaniel and Dorcas (Chestnut) Watkins.
Student Sue Bennett College, London, Kentucky, 1907-1912. Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University Kentucky, 1930, Civil Engineer, 1938, Doctor of Laws, 1964.
L. (Mistress Barrett McVey Morris), County highway engineer Laurel County, Kentucky, 1916-1917. Engineer Briar Hill Steel Works, also Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, 1919. Highway engineer Kentucky State Highway Department, 1919-1929. chief engineer, 1927-1929.
Chief engineer, construction superintendent Codell Company, 1930-1932.
President Watkins & Associates, Incorporated., 1962-1966, Chairman of the Board, 1966-1967. Partner Wilson, Bell & Watkins, architects, engineers, 1941-1945, Gillig, Watkins & Wilson, 1950-1955, Balke & Watkins, Consultant engineers, 1952-1955.
Senior partner Watkins, Burrows & Associates, architects and engineers President East High Corporation of Lexington (Kentucky).
Commissioner highways Commonwealth Kentucky, 1943-1948.
Director Security Trust Company (Lexington). Vice president Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, 1954-1955. Highway study committee Commision on intergovernmental
Relations, 1954-1955.
Member Kentucky Advisory Commission Division Library Extension. Board Fayette County chapter American Cancer Society President Kentucky Medical Foundation.
Trustee U. Kentucky, College of Bible, Lexington. Sponsor’s committee Bellarmine College.
Member Kentucky State Fair Board, 1956.
Chairman of the executive committee Kentucky Sesquicentennial Commission. Director Kentucky Constitutional Education Foundation. Member, board directors Kentucky Spindletop Research Center.
President Kentucky Better Rds.
Member Kentucky Advisory Commission Division Library Extension. Member Kentucky State Fair Board, 1956. Member, board directors Kentucky Spindletop Research Center.
Served as Second lieutenant
United States Army, 1918. Named Kentucky Engineer of Year by Kentucky Society Professional Engineers, 1955. Member Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (director, past president), American Society Civil Engineer, American Road Builders Association (director), American Institute, Consultant
Engineers, American Society Testing Materials, American Water Works Association, International Society Soils Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Newcomen Society England in North.A., Kentucky Society Professional Engineers (past president), Civil War Round Table, Sigma Nu.
Member of the Christian Church. Clubs: Filson (Louisville).
Married Martha Willis, June 21, 1923.