THE LONGEST serving merchant in Grundy, John Newley Watkins maintained his store for about 50 years between 1831 and 1904. It is said to have been the only store in Grundy for many years. He is said to have been a generous man, extending credit to lumbermen who had to wait for the spring raft tide to take their logs to market. He was the husband of Lydia Jane Ratliff Watkins and father of Charles Thomas Watkins, Sr., William C. Watkins, John Topal Watkins, Edwin B. Watkins, George Stuart Watkins, Robert Glenn Watkins, Chester Arthur Watkins, Jennie Florence Watkins, Ebb H. Whitten and James McGilary "Mack" Miller. Photo was submitted by Ann Littlejohn.