Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
James Watson
1837-1922
Like a tree, that buds in the Springtime, puts forth its foliage, blossoms,
and endures through the storm and beat of the Summer sun, then becomes
resplendant in its Autumal beauty, to drop its laurels and sleep the
sleep of Winter, so has our husband, father, Comrade, brother, and friend
endured and passed on, leaving his 85 years of earthly life to be treasured
by all who knew him and called him friend. James Watson was born in Vincennes,
Indiana, January 28, 1837, and died in Odon, Indiana, June 8, 1022. His
birthplace was then a fortress in the wilderness of Southern Indiana,
his father being one of the first settlers in that locality. His father
and grandfather were engaged in hat manfacturing, and his boyhood days
were spent in and near Vincennes. The deceased moved to Daviess county
about forty years ago and has resided in and near Odon ever since. He
was united in marriage to Eliza Pegg, and to this union four children
were born, two of whom survive, George and Charles, of Terre Haute. A
few years later the wife and mother passed away, leaving the father to
care for the boys. A few years later the deceased was married to Francetta
Kiser; this union ten children were born, nine of whom still survive.
They are Myrtle and Mrs. Frank Helm, twins; Mrs. Esther Browning of Odon;
Mrs. Thos. Boyd of Dayton, Ohio; Robert of Terre Haute; Ross of Ragelsville;
Mrs. Josephine Quackenbush of Marion; Fred of Montgomery, and Mrs Glayds
Abrell of Linton. In 1862, the deceased enlisted in Company G, 80th regiment
Indiana Volunteers, and served throughout the remainder of the war. He
served as Drummer, and was in a number of the bloodiest battles of the
Civil war. At the close of the war he followed his trade, that of brick
mason, and built and assisted in the building of several buildings in
this community. About fifteen years ago he united with the Christian
church at this place and had been a faithful worker until his health
was broken. Through and accident he became almost totally blind, but
his appreciation of life never decreased. A life like this just closed
sinks not away as the setting of sun, to be forgotten with out yesterdays,
but lingers and sustains us, challenging the best of which we are capable,
and beckoning us on to a higher appreciation of life. He was a good-husband,
father, friend, and neighbor, and he will be missed from our circle of
friendships, but we shall treasure his memory, until across the short
span of years, we shall have fulfilled our mission on earth and taken
our places, too, in the shadows unfettered by time. Like a faded flower
that has borne its fruitage and shed it petals, we lay his mortal clay
into the kindly earth, which claims her own, but his life and his love
linger in our thoughts as a tender benediction. The funeral occurred
from the Oden Christian church, and was in charge of the Rev. R. T. Gwyn. "Light
after darkness, gain after loss, Strength after weakness, crown after
cross; Sweet after bitter, song after sigh, Home after wandering, praise
after cry. Sheaves after sowing, sun after rain, Sight after mystery,
peace after pain; Joy after sorrow, calm after blast, Rest after weariness,
sweet rest at last. Near after distance, gleam after gloom, Love after
loniness, life after tomb; After long agony, rapture of bliss, Right
was the pathway leading to this."
Contributed by: Gene Printz