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.


Pages 495-496.

JOSIAH WATSON, one of the pioneers of Colerain township, was born in New 
Jersey, December 23, 1798, son of William and Sarah (Ackley) Watson. The 
father was a native of New Jersey, and was a militiaman during the 
Revolutionary war, belonging to what was known as the Jersey Blues. He was 
of English descent. Our subject came to Philadelphia when a boy about 
sixteen years of age, where he grew to manhood. He received a limited 
education and was bound an apprentice to a tailor, where he served five 
years, and he then entered the post-office at Philadelphia, as letter 
carrier, where he remained twelve years, when he resigned his position and 
came to Ohio in 1837 and settled on the farm in Colerain township, which he 
had bought in 1835. This he cleared and converted into a beautiful farm. In 
1833 he married Julia E., daughter of Edward Parker. He was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and for many years was engaged in the publishing business. 
Two children (twins), have blessed this union, only one living, Charles H., 
who has been connected with Weatherl & Bro., in the manufacture of white 
lead, where he has been engaged for over thirty years. He is a man that 
began in this world without anything, but by close economy he did well and 
at one time owned 106 1/4 acres of good land. He is now in the ninety-
second year of his age and in good health.