Annals of our ancestors; one hundred and fifty years of history in the ...

298 ANNALS OF OUR ANCESTORS
I remember the two little graves on the south side of the Plainview
Cemetery, Httle green mounds in the springtime, where
an unnamed infant's and Georgie B. 's bodies lie. Not far away
in that same cemetery is the grave of our first-born, where the
snows of forty-six winters and the grass of as many springs
have spread their curtains.
If I should trace the history of our brother's friends from
first to last, friends who were chosen intimates, the list would
not be long. To few he gave utter confidence, though naturally
of an unsuspicious nature. He gave of himself to those he
chose, and the gift was no mean one. Among the real friends
of his youth there still remains Dr. D. A. Stewart, who came
into his life in his early Plainview days and remained a close
friend through all his life. Dr. Stewart has told us of his first
knowledge of Brother Joseph's business. Of the forerunner
of his 2,500 Watkins wagons he says: "The first of his Plainview
carts, which he drove himself, was a miscegenation between
a wagon and a buggy, drawn by one small horse." Dr.
Stewart could scarcely say enough about what he called "a
miracle-like evolution" of a business. About ten years ago
Brother Joseph showed the doctor his plant and explained the
development of present methods, and then he said: "I never
dreamed of being a rich man!" Certainly it is a great plan
well carried out that would increase in less than half a century
a modest competence to an income from sales in 191 1 of several
million dollars. We mention this growth here simply to illus-
trate the fact that he showed his mental endowment by his
evolving sound business methods that worked with a great
degree of perfection. Conservative he was, and not fond of
daring; he ever experimented carefully, and quietly set in mo-
tion what he felt was worthy of success. One of his last
letters — probably his last to his coworkers — is contained
in the weekly "Roll of Honor" published by his company in
Winona, Minnesota. Whatever the success of the business
now or in the future, we must know that it is due to the foundation
laid by our brother.
Under the caption "The President's Message," it says:
Fellow Workers: I started this business on January i, 1868,
and have been on the job ever since. I don't know it all yet, and I