G. Harold Watkins

G. Harold Watkins
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 29th district
In office 1941–1944
Preceded by	Joseph P. Dando
Succeeded by	Paul L. Wagner
Personal details
Born	(1903-01-03)January 3, 1903 Girardville, Pennsylvania
Died	August 4, 1991(1991-08-04) (aged 88) Ashland, Pennsylvania
Political party	Republican

G. Harold Watkins (January 3, 1903 – August 4, 1991) was an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1941 to 1944 and as a Commonwealth judge from 1957 until 1978.

Formative years

Watkins was born in Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, to George H. Watkins and Florence M. Sykes on January 3, 1903. He married Nellie Benashumas (1911–2005) of Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. Watkins graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1924 and earned a law degree from Harvard University in 1929.

Beginning in 1930, Watkins practiced law in Girardville. He was then elected to the senate.

Afterwards, he remained active in politics, serving as a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania in 1948, 1952, 1956, and chairing the Schuylkill County Republican Party in 1953. That same year, he served as secretary for the Pennsylvania State Senate. He then assumed a post as superior court judge in Pennsylvania, serving from 1957 until 1978. He was the president judge during the final four years of his tenure. He continued to hear cases as a senior judge until 1989.

Watkins and his wife had a daughter, Pamela Watkins (born 1943). In 1968, she married Frederick H. Hobbs (1934–2005), a state senator from the 29th District.

Death

Watkins died on August 4, 1991, in Ashland, Pennsylvania.