BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.

Page 747.
 
JOHN WATSON is a prosperous farmer of Wheeling township, Belmont county, Ohio.
His parents were Thomas and Jane (Hays) Watson. Thomas Watson was born at
Middle Springs, Penn., and when a boy came with his father to Washington
county, Penn. Thomas' father came from Middle Springs, Franklin county, Penn.,
and passed most of his life in Washington county, where he died. John Watson
had nine brothers and sisters, they are: James, born January 20, 1816, died
November 6, 1825; Eliza Jane, born October 30, 1817; Martha, born September 29,
1819; William H., born March 20, 1822; Nancy, born May 13, 1824; Mary Ann, born
December 27, 1826; John, born January 29, 1829; Catharine, born August 7, 1831;
James F., born November 3, 1833; and Rachael, born November 12, 1835, died
September 13, 1845. The father and mother for a time after their marriage lived
in Cannonsburg, the former pursuing his trade of a blacksmith, they afterward
moved on to a farm where John, the subject of this sketch, was raised, receiving
an ordinary amount of schooling, by application and wide reading he has obtained
a good command of language, and has upon different occasions addressed audiences
with much effect upon live issues of the day. Mr. Watson was joined in wedlock
December 15, 1867, to Miss Mary E. Hammond, of St. Clairsville; this union has
resulted in the birth of four children: James Hays, William Waddle, Ella Jane and
John Walter. After his marriage he lived for two years on a farm in Pennsylvania,
then removed to the farm he now owns in Wheeling township, Belmont county, Ohio.
Mrs. Watson is a daughter of James and Jane (Caldwell) Hammond. The Caldwells are
natives of Ireland. Mr. Watson and his family are members of the United Presbyterian
church of Unity, of which Mr. Watson is a ruling elder. One of the very finest
farms in the county and one of the best reputations for honesty and integrity are
possessed by John Watson.