Person Page - 399

     Walter Hunt Broyles was born on 7 June 1888 at Chucky Valley, Carter Co., TN. He was the son of Robert Summerfield Broyles and Ella Mae Crumley. Walter Hunt Broyles died on 19 June 1888 at Chucky Valley, Carter Co., TN.

     Watkins Andrew Broyles M.D. was born on 25 November 1894 at Table Rock, Pawnee Co., NE. He was the son of Dr. Franklin Hunt Broyles and Leila Watkins. Watkins Andrew Broyles M.D. married Ethyl Frances Swan, daughter of Charles Bion Swan and Caroline Amelia Grubb, on 10 July 1917 at Bethany, Harrison Co., MO. Watkins Andrew Broyles M.D. and Ethyl Frances Swan were divorced on 31 July 1947 at Harrison Co., MO. Watkins Andrew Broyles M.D. married Margueretta Frances Paton, daughter of Duncan McLennan Paton and Marguerretta Gladys Burrows, on 4 October 1947 at Bethany, Harrison Co., MO, Prior to her marriage to Watkins Andrew Broyles, Marjorie was married to Percy Valentine Patrick Fralka. Marjorie and Percy had two sons, Gerald David and Daniel Patrick who were later adopted by Watkins.

Watkins Andrew Broyles M.D. died on 26 August 1988 at Bethany, Harrison Co., MO, at age 93 WATKINS FAMILY NEWSLETTER, January 2003

His given name was Watkins.
The story of Watkins A. Broyles came to me by fortunate fate in the way of a Christmas gift from Paul Watkins. In 1981, Watkins Broyles wrote a book called "Soldier, Doctor, Doctor" - a detailed accounting of not only his own life, but of the country which he loved so much. He was in awe, I think, of the progress of this nation in the time span of his life and felt compelled to make a record of life in America as he saw it. He recalls his family's beginnings and their struggles of a hundred years go - the life routine of hard work, long hours, and geographic adventure.
His earliest recollection of his family begins in 1760 at which time a number of his ancestors were in America and served in the
Revolutionary War. Following the war, many moved west to a Welsh settlement in Ohio. His grandfather, David Watkins, born in Radnor,
Ohio on February 26, 1824 and married Elizabeth McGrew on December 24, 1851 in Carrollton, Ohio. Their first child, Arlington, was born in Radnor on August 11, 1854 and they moved to Nebraska in 1857. As the railroad ended in Iowa City, Iowa, they purchased horses, wagons and supplies for the rough journey west across southern Iowa. They reached the bank of the Missouri river after two weeks of hard travel and encamped the first night across from Nebraska City, Nebraska. Three days later, passed through Julian, a small village. They continued on four more miles to the south, eventually settling on a bluff where Watkins' grandfather erected their first home. It was in this house that Watkins' mother Leila was born on October 6, 1861. She had a sister, Cherlena, who came to life on January 17, 1867. Leila also had a younger brother named William, born on September 9, 1869.
Though our story's primary interest is the Watkins connection, Dr. Broyles mentions that his father was able to trace his ancestry
to Henry Devault, a Huguenot, born in France in 1732 and immigrated to America in 1754. They landed in Philadelphia and settled near
Hanover, Pennsylvania serving under Col. William Ross during the Revolution in the 3rd Company of the 6th Battalion York County Militia. This Company later joined forces under General Washington at the Battle of Brandywine.
Becoming a doctor had been a logical progression of events for Watkins, as his father was hired in his younger days to work as a driver for a Dr. Nichols in Brock, Nebraska. It was during this time that he met Leila Watkins and they became sweethearts. He also made the decision to become a doctor. Dr. Nichols told him he could go into his office and read medicine for a year under his supervision. He would be able to use the doctor's library and receive personal instruction. He immediately accepted this generous offer and began studying. When Dr. Nichols became ill and could no longer continue his practice, Watkins' father headed for Kansas City, Missouri with fourteen dollars in his pocket which he had earned painting a house. It was November 1884. He attended Kansas City Medical College, doing his best to stretch what little money he had. He finally received his degree on March 15, 1887. That same year, he returned to Brock to marry Leila Watkins.
Watkins Broyles remembers wonderful times at the farm of his grandparents making mention of various incidents in which he was wounded (though not permanently) by either bees or dogs and finding a particular fascination with a skunk. One time around a fourth of July, he tells of picking gooseberries to which his grandmother gave him a quarter for each quart he picked. When they had saved enough, he and his sister Elizabeth would ride "old Charlie" and the one seated buggy and to go Julian to visit the store with its barrels of all sorts of food and candy. "The store was clean and had no flies though Ralph Nader would have had convulsions if he'd seen it!", Dr. Broyles says. Well, as it turns out, he had decided to spend his earnings on some of the fireworks that were on sale. Shooting off a large Roman candle, waving it above his head, it backfired and cut quite a gash in his lower lip. These incidents turned out to be his first medical experiences, as each recollection is finished by his comments that he not only developed an immunity to bee stings, but did not get rabies, lockjaw, or food poisoning!
Watkins enrolled as a pre-med student at the University of Kansas in Lawrence in fall of 1915. A year later, as fate would have it, President Wilson ordered the mobilization of the National Guard due to the Mexican border disturbance, and Watkins was informed he must report to the armory at once. This was Watkins' first involvement in a war. It was not his last.
Later, the American involvement with the European War resulted in his withdrawal from school as he applied to the ROTC program and reported to Fort Riley in 1917. One June 4, 1918 Watkins traveled across the Atlantic on the Baltic, a troupe ship. The British ship took him to Glasgow first, and he eventually went to Ramsey, La Havre, and Aillianville where he was trained. At his destination of Mandres, he and his battalion continued to the St. Mihiel Offensive in dugouts under the Metz St. Diezier Road. The time of the attack was to be D-Day plus four hours. Many days in the trenches, unspoken determination to survive, and a serious wound to his leg resulted in his being loaded on to a Merchant ship, the U.S.S. Nansemond and he was shipped home. His foreign service was over on March 11, 1919. He was discharged on April 25.
He re-enrolled as a pre-medic at the University of Kansas and June 10, 1924 was presented with his degree of Doctor of Medicine. Dr. Watkins Broyles interned at St. Louis City Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri and opened his private practice on July 21, 1925 in Eagleville, Missouri. His family grew and his practice thrived, though not without struggles.
When World War II came around, Watkins reported to what was to be called the "3rd Auxiliary Surgical Group" for training and on his birthday (November 25, 1942) he was told they would leave for England on the 27th. On December 1st, he and 30,000 other men boarded the Queen Mary to make the trip across. Once in England, he was told they belonged in North Africa. He found himself in a field hospital in North Africa on Easter Sunday, 1943 and by June of that year was ordered to Saveli, Algiers. In 1944, he was ordered back to the States, granted leave and returned to Bethany. Due to his earlier leg injury in WW I, he was restricted to the States where he was placed in the Medical Pool to wait for his assignment. Various assignments took him all over the States including, California, Texas and Arizona. He thrived in the medical field until the late 1970s when he realized his vision was failing. He found his malpractice insurance was costing more than a month's income and he decided to close his office on December 1, 1976.
In closing Watkins' own words say it best. "Over the years I have tried to do my duty as a doctor to my patients, friends, and community - an old fashioned idea. We often hear the expression, 'the good old days' - do we mean what we say? Those days did have some good points; more respect for law and order; less sympathy for criminals; less belief that the government should do everything for you." Well said Watkins, well said.


WATKINS A. BROYLES LETTERS
I received these letters from a collection of Watkins Broyles materials at the U.S. Army Military History Institute, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. (It was noted in the information I received that there are two boxes in the Watkins Broyles collection. Box #1 contains miscellaneous papers during World War II and Box #2 contains miscellaneous letters and papers from 1914-1919.) It is interesting to note that Watkins Broyles was supposed to have been married within about a month of these letters, but he makes no mention of that upcoming event.

LETTER #1

Ft. Riley, Kansas
June 12, 1917

Dear Dad:
I received your letter this noon when I got in off a patrol work, and was glad to get it. To day has been awftly hot and is pretty warm yet tonight - however that is the kind of weather we need if it will only continue and I guess we will be getting used to it before long. but it sure makes the moisture roll off a fellow. Say I wish mother would get my bank book out of my box and send it to me as I want to send it to the bank and have it ballanced - or you can send it in for me. be sure you get the one I used this spring. I never got around to leave it before I left Lawrence. I think tho that I drew all I had out. yet I might be wrong. will finish this later on going over to a Picture show now for a little while.
Back and have not much time befor taps & lights out but if I dont get this finished now will do so in the morning - this cant get to you befor Thursday any how.
I expect that Dillon was a little light in his education but there are a lot of fellows here who are a whole lot worse off than Dillon and I think he would have made it O.K.
We have not been paid yet but I rather think we will get it this week tho I cant tell for sure - if we get paid I think I'll have a uniform made for me as a sort of dress up one it will come in handy if I never get a commission.
Speaking of fellows not liking it here - Ive heard little objections my self but you can blow in the coin here if you want to blow it in, You asked about clothes - well Ive spent about $10.00 for clothes at the Q.M. and then I bought me a pair of shoes up town cost me $1.00 - I could not get anything that would fit me at the quarter masters so I blowed my self. They are regular army shoes and cost $2.87 at the Q.M. so you see how they stick us however next month you will pay about $5 for them.
I think I'll go to KC. Sat. and to Lawrence Sunday that is if I can get away but it is rumored that we will not be allowed to leave camp from now on.
How is Mr. Hallock? You sure have made a bunch of trips to see him.
The weather here has been fine this week and I hope that you are having some of these warm days, but it is cloudy and looks like rain this evening.
Tell Many hello for me. I dont think we will have to pay 75 ct for meals for it was probably due to his getting discharge and they charged him for his board.
Now I beleave Ive given you all the news there is for this time but may add a line or two in the morning.
Love to all
Watkins

P.S. Wed - morning and all OK. Turned cold last night and is cloudy this morning but looks a little like it might clear off - but they must have had a storm near here, Must close now and get this in box so it will be taken to office
Wat.


LETTER #2

Address my letters to Co. 9. after this Wat

Ft. Riley Kan.
June 17, 1917

Dear Dad:
This is Sunday P.M. and Ive been busy all day as they transfered us to our respective orginizations and Im no in Co 9. did not have to move very far about a half a block and Im in a good place as far as the building goes, yet Id prefered to stayed where I was as I was used to it. then Im not exactly certian I'll like it here as the fellows - (original old no 9 men) are from Colorado and I guess they are a rather bum bunch but there are several of our men here and one other K.U. man so Im going to get along all right, In the 1st place tho Im not here for a Colorado bunches pleasure but to get a job so you see Im O.K.
Received the candy and cake and it sure was O.K. and many thanks. I was going to K.C. Sat but no passes were give but I guess I wrote you about that now I believe Ive given you all the news there is for this time so I close Will write a better letter one fo these days but there is no news to write hope you are all well, Ive not found out yet whether I'll get paid or not but if not you will know it pretty quick, love to all, & write soon
Watkins.


LETTER #3 (The following appears to be page two of a letter for which I did not receive page one)

(2)
that sure was some way of getting rid of the rats - I suppose old Spot will be watching for a rat every time you start the engine in the barn.
Yes the draft is causing quite a little excitement here and I expect it is else where - our Capt (US) in charge of our Co (Capt Bates) has been promoted and is a major now.
Glad you are finally getting a pipe organ Not that I like them so much. And Mrs Henkle sure should be paid.
We'd like to be there to eat dinner with you my self and Im expecting to in about 3 more weeks -
Now Ive given you all the news I can think of so Im going to close for this time with love to all
Your
Watkins


DR, WATKINS BROYLES


NEWSPAPER ARTICLE - Bethany, Missouri Republican Clipper, December 18, 1918

Cheering News from War Department, December, 1918 , Bethany, Harrison, Missouri
RECEIVE CHEERING NEWS.
As we stated last week, that although Dr. F. H. Broyles had received notice from the War Department that his son Lieut. Watkins Broyles had died of pneumonia, Nov. 7, in France; but as the family had received letters from him written since the armistice was signed, they could only hope there was a mistake on account of the conflicting dates. So great was the rejoicing in Bethany last Saturday when another message came from the war department, stating that the report of Watkins' death was erroneous - that he should have been reported wounded on November 7th.
Before receiving this message, Mrs. Broyles had received an eight page letter from Watkins, written Nov. 23. He said in this letter that his wounds were healing nicely, and he was improving rapidly, and hoped soon to be back with his company. In all, the family received seven letters from Lieut. Broyles last week.
Dr. Broyles also received a letter last week from his other soldier son, Capt. Glenn Broyles, in France, and he too was well and getting along fine.
We all rejoice with Dr. and Mrs. Broyles, the brave little wife, and all the relatives in the good news received, and though this will be for them a lonesome Christmas with both their sons so far away, yet they feel they have much for which to be thankful.
The following were the two messages as received by Dr. Broyles;

Washington, D. C., Dec. 18, 1918
Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Lieut. Watkins A. Broyles, infantry, died of lobar pneumonia, November 7.
HARRIS, Adj. Gen.

Washington, D. C. Dec. 14, 1918
Lieut. Watkins A. Broyles, infantry, erroneously reported died of lobar pneumonia; now reported severely wounded in action, Nov. 7.
HARRIS, Adj. Gen.


OBITUARY - St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press/Gazette, 29 Aug 1988

BETHANY, MO. -----Dr. Watkins A. Broyles, M.D., 93, died Friday, Aug. 26, 1988, at his home in Bethany.
Mr. Broyles was born in Table Rock, Neb.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marge Broyles, on Nov. 26, 1986.
Mr. Broyles had been a physician in Bethany since 1925, and was a member of the First Christian Church of Bethany. He was a Army veteran serving in the Mexican Border War, World War I and World War II.
Surviving: a daughter, Frances Stout, Albuquerque, N.M., three sons, Jerry, Omaha, Neb., Dan, Manhattan, Kan., and W. R., Liberty, Mo., 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services: 1 p.m. Tuesday, First Christian Church, Bethany, Mo. Cremation will follow. Family visitation: after 7 tonight, at the Roberson-Polley Funeral Home, Bethany.

     Watkins Ramsey Broyles was born on 10 June 1921 at Bethany, Harrison Co., MO. He was the son of Watkins Andrew Broyles M.D. and Ethyl Frances Swan. Watkins Ramsey Broyles married Winifred Jeanne Bewley, daughter of Winfred Cooper Bewley Jr. and Mabel M. Foster, on 18 December 1946 at Jackson Co., MO. Watkins Ramsey Broyles and Winifred Jeanne Bewley were divorced in February 1957. Watkins Ramsey Broyles died on 13 March 1998 at Liberty, Clay Co., MO, at age 76.

     Wayne Lee Broyles married Pearl Turner. Wayne Lee Broyles married Jessie (?). Wayne Lee Broyles was born on 31 August 1891 at Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN. He was the son of Robert Summerfield Broyles and Ella Mae Crumley. Wayne Lee Broyles died on 26 November 1981 at Carthage, Jasper Co., MO, at age 90.

     William Milton Broyles was born on 26 August 1865 at Jonesborough, Washington Co., TN. He was the son of Andrew Coffee Broyles and Louisa Ann Eliza Hunt. William Milton Broyles married Julia B. Clements on 28 November 1900 at St. Louis, St. Louis Co., MO, no children. William Milton Broyles died on 20 February 1915 at St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., MO, at age 49. He was buried in February 1915 at Sheridan Cemetery, Auburn, Nemaha Co., NE.

     Broyles died on 7 November 1878 at Chuckey Valley, Washington Co., TN. He was born on 7 November 1878 at Chuckey Valley, Washington Co., TN. He was the son of Andrew Coffee Broyles and Louisa Ann Eliza Hunt.

     Broyles was born on 26 July 1904 at Table Rock, Pawnee Co., NE. She died on 27 July 1904 at Table Rock, Pawnee Co., NE. She was the daughter of Robert Summerfield Broyles and Ella Mae Crumley.

     Broyles died on 19 March 1949. She was born on 19 March 1949. She was the daughter of Lloyd Bonser Broyles and Bonnie Jean Finley.

     Augusta Brozheit was born on 25 December 1884 at Prussia, Germany.¹ She married Otto Mueller. Augusta Brozheit died on 29 February 1960 at Beech Grove, Marion Co., IN, at age 75. She was buried in March 1960 at Washington Park East Cemetery, Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN, Findagrave #68162046.

     Madlena Brubacher was born in 1663 at Canton Bern, Switzerland. She married Christian Stauffer, son of Daniel Stauffer and Barbara Galli. Madlena Brubacher died in 1698 at Gerolsheim, Bad Durkheim, Palatinate, Date not consistent with birth of Susanna Stauffer in 1702, unless Christian had remarried and Susanna was from a second wife.

     Abraham Brubaker was born circa 1820 at Pennsylvania.^1,2 He married Mary Stultz at Adams Co. (probably), OH.¹

     Alice L. Brubaker was born in July 1860 at Benton Twp., Pike Co., OH.¹ She was the daughter of Abraham Brubaker and Mary Stultz.¹

     Ann E. Brubaker was born circa February 1850 at Franklin Twp., Adams Co., OH.^1,2 She was the daughter of Abraham Brubaker and Mary Stultz.¹

     Anna Brubaker married John Kauffman, son of Martin Kauffman and Maria Leinberger, on 17 February 1789 at Shenandoah Co., VA.

     Anna E. Brubaker married Peter N. Adams.

     Augusta B. Brubaker was born on 26 September 1891 at Luray, Page Co., VA.¹ She was the daughter of Hunter Oliver Brubaker and Minnie Ella Grove. Augusta B. Brubaker married Alpheus Wilson Coe on 10 May 1913 at Washington, District of Columbia. Augusta B. Brubaker married Theodore Lauck Brumback, son of Edward Trenton Brumback and Lucy Gertrude Lauck, on 28 June 1939 at Page Co., VA. Augusta B. Brubaker died on 22 June 1981 at Littleton, Arapahoe Co., CO, at age 89.

     Barbara Brubaker was the daughter of Mary Hershey.

     Barbara Brubaker married Jacob M. Hershey, son of Jacob Hershey and Barbara Mumma, on 23 September 1841 at York Co., PA.

     Barbara Brubaker married Tobias Miller.

     Catherine Brubaker was born on 31 March 1765 at Virginia. She married John Rhodes, son of Joseph Rhodes and Mary Elizabeth Strickler, on 25 March 1783 at Virginia.

     Elizabeth Brubaker married George Schull.

     Fannie Brubaker was born in May 1860. She was the daughter of John Henry Brubaker and Elizabeth Virginia Kite. Fannie Brubaker married Jacob Daniel Beery.

     Hunter Oliver Brubaker was born on 10 January 1866 at Page Co., VA. He was the son of John Henry Brubaker and Elizabeth Virginia Kite. Hunter Oliver Brubaker married Minnie Ella Grove, daughter of John William Grove and Eliza Jane Koontz, on 15 September 1890 at Mount Vernon Place Methodist Church, Washington, District of Columbia, Ceremony by Rev. J. T. Wightman; four children born, three living as of the 1900 census. Hunter Oliver Brubaker died on 22 June 1941 at age 75. He was buried in June 1941 at Green Hill Cemetery, Luray, Page Co., VA.

     Israel Brubaker was born circa 1844 at Franklin Twp., Adams Co. (probably), OH.¹ He was the son of Abraham Brubaker and Mary Stultz.¹

     J. P. Brubaker was born circa 1854 at Adams or Pike Co., OH.¹ He was the son of Abraham Brubaker and Mary Stultz.¹

     Jacob A. Brubaker was born circa 1852 at Adams or Pike Co., OH.¹ He was the son of Abraham Brubaker and Mary Stultz.¹

     John Brubaker married Anna Hostetter, daughter of Jacob Hostetter and Anna Kreider. John Brubaker was born circa 1719. He died in 1775.

     John Henry Brubaker was born on 8 March 1832. He married Elizabeth Virginia Kite, daughter of John C. Kite and Elizabeth Catherine Slagle. John Henry Brubaker died on 10 April 1908 at age 76.

     Laura Virginia Brubaker was born on 22 March 1863 at Page Co., VA. She was the daughter of John Henry Brubaker and Elizabeth Virginia Kite. Laura Virginia Brubaker married Henry Eugene Weiner on 26 November 1884 at Page Co., VA.

     Lawrence G. Brubaker was born in May 1898 at Page Co. (probably), VA.^2,1 He was the son of Hunter Oliver Brubaker and Minnie Ella Grove.¹