Watson, J. M. bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 345-346; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst, Transcriber Notes: another longer bio on pages 506-507 {below}
J. M. Watson. It is impossible in brief biographical sketch to render full justice to prominent men, and yet there are some who are so intimately and clearly identified with the county’s welfare, and whose names are so familiar to all that it is only justice to dwell upon what they have done and the influence of their career upon others, not as empty words of praise, but the plain statement of a plan truth. To this class belongs J. M. Watson, commonly called “Roe” Watson, Assessor of Cass Township, who is a young man of indisputable ability, and good business habits, and one alike popular in social and mercantile circles. He is an active, wide-awake farmer, and has won great success in pursuing this, his favorite occupation.
Our subject’s birth occurred on section 29, this township on the 19th of July, 1852, he being the son of John D. and Catharine (Cameron) Watson, natives of Indiana and Illinois respectively. His father is numbered among the pioneer settlers in this State, and experienced all the hardships and privations incidental to a residence in an undeveloped country. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his beloved wife in 1856. To them had been born three children, all of whom reached maturity, but of whom our subject is the only one living at the present writing. His father was married again and now makes his home in Oregon.
The subject of our sketch was the recipient of a common-school education, but at an early age manifested a lively interest in educational matters, and an amount of industry and integrity of purpose that could but result in success. Following the footsteps of his father he has always devoted hi attention to farming, with the exception of a few years during which time he tried railroading. At the early age of twenty-one he commenced to make a business record for himself, and is now the owner of a valuable estate near Smithfield, and also of an elegant residence.
Mr. Watson was married April 3, 1873, to Miss Mary C. Cable, daughter of Solomon Cable, and immediately after his marriage settled upon his present farm, which comprises one hundred an forty acres of excellent land all in a body, one hundred acres of which are in a state of perfect cultivation. Besides agriculture, he is also largely interested in stock-raising, buying and selling all the time.
To Mr. and Mrs. Watson have been born six children, viz: Carrie B., Sadie C., Josie M., James H., John H., and William E. all of whom are living at the present date. Our subject is a member of Smithfield Lodge No. 103, I.O.O.F., and has held the office of Treasurer, and others of equal importance. He takes an active interest in political issues, voting the Democratic ticket, and has at various times been a delegate to conventions. His interest in school matters is very pronounced, and his children are all receiving excellent instruction. Mr. Watson is classed among the pre-eminently successful agriculturists of Cass Township, and has lost no opportunity for improving his estate, or contributing to the general welfare of the community who hold him in such high esteem.

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 506-507; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
J. M. Watson. It is impossible in a brief biographical sketch to render full justice to prominent men, and yet there are some who are so intimately and clearly identified with the county’s welfare, and whose names are so familiar to all that it is only justice to dwell upon what they have done and the influence of their career upon others, not as empty words of praise, but the plain statement of a plain truth. To this class belongs J. M. Watson, commonly called “Roe” Watson, Assessor of Cass Township. He is a young man of indisputable ability and good business habits, and is alike popular in social and financial circles. He is an active, wide-awake farmer and has won great success in pursuing this, his favorite occupation.
Our subject’s birth occurred on section 29, of the township named, July 19, 1852, he being the son of John D. and Catherine (Cameron) Watson, natives of Indiana and Illinois respectively. His father is numbered among the pioneer settlers in this State and experienced all the hardships and privations incidental to a resident in an undeveloped country. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his beloved wife in 1856. To them had been born three children, all of whom grew to maturity, but of whom our subject is the only one living at the present writing. The father was married again and now makes his home in Oregon.
The gentleman of whom we write was the recipient of a common-school education and at an early age manifested a lively interest in educational matters and an amount of industry and integrity of purpose that could but result in success. Following the footsteps of his father he has always devoted his attention to farming, with the exception of a few years during which time he tried railroading. At the early age of twenty-one he commenced to make a business record for himself and is now the owner of a valuable estate near Smithfield and also of an elegant residence. His farm comprises one hundred and forty acres of excellent land all in a body, one hundred acres of which are in a state of perfect cultivation. Beside agriculture he is also largely interested in stock-raising, buying and selling all the time.
Mr. Watson was married, April 3, 1873, to Miss Mary C. Cable, daughter of Solomon Cable, and immediately after his marriage settled upon his present farm. To himself and wife have been born six children – Carrie B., Sadie C., Josie M, James H. John H. and William E., all of whom are living. The interest of the parents in school matters is very pronounced and the children are one and all receiving excellent instruction. Their morals are carefully guarded, the father being a man of good principles and the mother a consistent member of the United Brethren Church.
Mr. Watson is a member of Smithfield Lodge No. 103, I.O.O.F., had held the offices of Treasurer, Right Support and Vice Grand. He takes an active interest in political issues, voting the Democratic ticket, and has at various times been a delegate to conventions. He has been a School Director for four years, has served as Constable for an equal length of time and is now filling the office of Township Assessor for the fourth term. He is classed among the pre-eminently successful agriculturists of Cass Township, and has lost no opportunity for improving his estate or contributing to the general welfare of the community, who hold him in such high esteem.