J. D. Watkins
John Dyer Watkins was an American judge and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as district judge of the Second Judicial District Court of Louisiana from 1865 to 1869 and in the Louisiana State Senate from 1880 to 1884.
Life and career
Watkins was born in Caldwell County, Kentucky, the son of Thomas Watkins and Nancy Dyer. He was the brother of Lynn B. Watkins, an associate judge of the Louisiana Supreme Court. He attended and graduated from Cumberland College. After graduating, he served in the armed forces during the American Civil War, which after his discharge, he worked as a schoolteacher in Minden, Louisiana.Watkins served as district judge of the Second Judicial District Court of Louisiana from 1865 to 1869. After his service as judge, he served in the Louisiana State Senate from 1880 to 1884.