In the 1920s, he was known to ship bootleg alcohol for the Delaware County Republican political boss, John J.

[4] In 1932, he and a partner founded the Blue Line Transfer Company and operated hundreds of trucks in the eastern United States.

[5] In 1964, Watkins was elected to the 89th United States Congress as a representative for Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district and served from 1965 to 1967.

The effect of this ruling meant that the redistricting in Pennsylvania and many other states based on the 1960 census was nullified and would need to be redone.

In January 1966, he testified to that effect before the state Senate reapportionment Committee and said that by 1970, Delaware County would have enough population to support two congressmen.

In spite of the desire of some leaders that the district be represented by a Chester County resident, an accommodation was reached between the War Board and the leadership of the former, allowing Watkins to continue.

Watkins died in West Chester, Pennsylvania, from a heart attack during a speaking engagement at the Penn Oaks Country Club.