[1] He studied law and was admitted to practice in New Jersey in 1893.

Watkins' first political foray was mayor of Woodbury, New Jersey, from 1886 to 1890.

On October 18, 1898, Governor Foster MacGowan Voorhees resigned from office, and Watkins become acting governor in his capacity as Speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly, Serving until January 16, 1899, when Voorhees returned as governor.

From 1900 to 1903 he served as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey[2] and from 1903 to 1909 he was the state's Commissioner of Banking and Insurance.

He died on June 20, 1938, twelve days after his 76th birthday.