To me, he was just my Grandpa
As a child, the fact that my family owned a business college was not of any particular importance to me. Then again, neither was nuclear warfare, or the economic state of the nation! Nevertheless, I was habitually reminded that wherever life took me, I should always remember who I was and where I came from. Being a person of "good stock" by being "a Watkins" was not a concept that this teenager embraced with open arms. The phrase that Gpa so often used, "it's in your blood" still rings in my ears. At the time, the quality of the gift of education eluded me. It would be decades before I would begin to understand what he had tried so hard to teach me. To me, he was just grandpa. 
To the rest of the world, he was F. Leland Watkins Jr., President of the Dakota Business College, a college started by his father, F. Leland Watkins Sr. in 1893. Twenty years ago, it was described by one reporter as "the venerable institution - North Dakota's oldest and largest business school and one of the most widely known private schools of its kind in the nation." It boasted its largest enrollment right after World War I of right at 750 students. The motto, which is still advertised on the top of the north wing building was "FOLLOW THE $UCCE$$FUL". And, until Gpa and Gma closed the school doors in 1978, over 25,000 students were given that opportunity.
Watkins Sr.'s roots were in Missouri, around the College Mound area. (He came from "good stock" as well, as his Great grandmother was also the mother of Henry Clay. Having no short supply of either teachers, orators, or politicians in our family, it was only natural that this would be passed on.) Watkins Sr. came to Fargo, after having learned the printing trade in Mo., and met up with a master penman, Mathias Knox, who had established Northwestern College of Commerce. He partnered with Knox, but it was a short lived association, as Knox mysteriously went missing one day, along with some $500 of the college tuition that had been collected. Watkins, vision was surely tested during those times, but he chose to go it alone. Perseverance has never been in short demand in this Watkins family. He slept at the school, and ate beans and bread during those lean times. When he was told that the desks and equipment at the college were not paid for, (as Knox had assured him) he made arrangements to make monthly payments. The school began to prosper, and its students were employed at businesses and banks all over the midwest, and eventually all over the world. They became bank presidents, politicians, business owners, office managers, secretaries, controllers, and CPA's. The dream had become a reality.
Watkins Sr. boasted that his "DBC" students learned their craft by learning business as it was done in the business world. It would come to be known as "The Watkins Method". The school had its own currency - Watkins Dough. The first day of attendance was like one's first day at a job. You were given a "blank" set of books, and $2000 in Watkins Dough, and you went to the Bank (downstairs) and opened your own business. The first lessons in class instructed you to do business with six wholesale houses, an insurance office, and a garage. You learned the main functions of a bank, the extension of credit, and paying back loans with interest. You learned to buy businesses, dealing with all the facets of mortgages, warranty deeds, and assignments. You were taught to take in partners and you learned basic legal business rights and privileges of partnerships. As each student learned more, the difficulty of the lessons increased. You wrote to the "Secretary of State" (in this case, the teacher) for articles of incorporation and became members of the board of directors and you learned how corporations prospered with surplus and you issued dividends. Every student went as quickly or as slowly as he liked. The theory behind that was that accuracy was the most important element and speed would come.
Three of Watkins Sr.'s brothers came to Fargo at various times and taught at the college.. Earl C., Ashley R. and Aura C. all contributed their time and talents to what was the family business.
But it was Watkins Sr.'s second child, F. L. Jr. who eventually made it his lifetime occupation. F. L. Jr.'s choice to carry on his father's vision was not his first choice. One of my grandfather's favorite stories would be to tell of how his own father had "fired" him more times than he could remember and how my grandmother (who was Watkins Sr's secretary at the time) would "smooth the ruffled feathers" and persuade Watkins Sr. to hire his son back!!
In 1922, F. L. Jr. and Luella Cowen came back to the College after getting advanced training at Bliss College and Zanerian Arts Institute in Columbus, OH. Not only did they return, but much to Watkins Sr.'s approval, they came back as Mr. & Mrs. F. L. Watkins Jr. They became permanent members of the teaching faculty and eventually F. L. Jr. became president. The Zanerian Arts Institute is where F.L. Jr. learned the art of penmanship, which he incorporated into the curriculum at the College. Through the years that followed, students entered numerous penmanship competitions. The students won an unprecedented number of coveted citations in International Penmanship compositions over hundred of other schools throughout the U.S. and Canada during the 50's and 60's. Eventually, the traveling trophy was permanently retired to the College in Fargo. Though Mr. Watkins could be easily described as a self-efacing and shy man, his own penmanship made him well known the world over, and his talent was surpassed by few.
My grandfather's passion and vision to carry on his father's dream was extraordinary. My grandmother's equal passion and vision to keep him "grounded" as his business partner as well as his wife was no less extraordinary. They were a well-matched pair in every sense of the word. They were married (to the College as well as to each other, their children will tell you) for over 50 years. As the 60's came, they encountered what must have seemed insurmountable problems brought on by government subsidies made available to schools. These subsidies, if accepted, would come with the high price of having curriculum methods regulated. The very foundation for which the College was known, was not an issue that he would compromise or barter. A legacy of eighty years of teaching through practical application and the $ucce$$ful employment of thousands of students would endure. His principles and his father's vision would not be bought.
No one with a desire to learn was ever turned away because they lacked the tuition to attend. He gave his personal attention to anyone who needed it. It would take hours to recount the stories of kindnesses he extended to others. His contributions to the community were no less impressive than to the students. Watkins Sr., a longtime member of Fargo's Shiloh Lodge, #1 and Potentate of El Zagal Temple of the Shrine, encouraged his son to follow in his footsteps. He became a member and was Master of the lodge's 8th Degree for 25 years. He was a 32nd degree Mason and proudly wore his 50 year pin until his death. In 1940, he was elected to the Grand Council of the Order of DeMolay at Kansas City, MO. ( He attended the Grand Council meetings with Harry Truman, who was at the time representing Mo.) In 1939, he was presented the Legion of Honor.
In 1935, he called a meeting to organize the first Junior Chamber of Commerce chapter in North Dakota. As he recalls, 72 men attended - 50 of them being former students of his! He worked with community projects for the new Jaycee Chapter, which included a clothing drive for the poor. They started a general city clean up program. He was instrumental in getting a municipal pool and through his work with the WPA, the pool was built and still stands today. The Fargo Jaycees named him Man of the Year their first two years and he was voted a lifetime member in 1938. He traveled all over the state to promote the startup of similar chapters all over North Dakota. His "mottos" have been quoted hundreds of time over the years. "The only recipe for success is cooperation and a willingness to give of your time."
He helped to get an ice arena built, and held the position of Secretary of the Winter Club for over 20 years. As a result, Fargo-Moorhead skaters had the opportunity to compete in Midwestern, World, and even Olympic competition. Mrs. Watkins donated her time to the club as Cashier in the evenings as well.
In 1940, he was nominated for secretary of state of North Dakota on the Republican ticket. Seeking his father's advice of accepting the nomination, it was impressed on him that it was his duty. Though it was a "liberal" year and his ticket lost, one of the comments I remember vividly from a State Senator who knew him stated with a chuckle that "F.L. was too honest to become a politician!"
I can't tell you exactly when I first realized what my grandfather had accomplished. But, I CAN tell you that at that moment, I began to understand what he had told me all those years ago by telling me never to forget who I was, that I came from good stock, and that it was "in my blood".
On a personal note, this author (who attended the college in 1968) was applying for a job at a temporary agency in Reno, Nevada back in 1979. The woman interviewing me, looking at my application, smiled and asked me how I had enjoyed my time at the DBC. Her father had been a student, and she had recognized my penmanship! Similar encounters with former students or relatives have been frequent in my life. Sometimes I tell people he was my grandpa, and sometimes I just let people tell the stories of how the kindness of those "Watkins folks" had changed their lives. I have heard Presidents of Banks speak that they would not be where they were if were not for the sound principles of business they had learned at the college.
In the meantime, he was just my grandpa. As a child, he read to me - everything from nursery rhymes to the bible. He talked to me for as long as I would sit still, and he was there for me to help me pick up the pieces when things didn't go well. Both he and my grandmother were my teachers. Whether I use a computer or just a piece of paper and pen, there is not a day that goes by in my work that I don't use the methods which I learned at the DBC. My grandparents left wonderful "imprints" while they were here on this earth, and it has been my pleasure to share them with you.
Liz Watkins Barner
Grand-daughter of F. L. Watkins Jr.
