WATSON-Ann VanMeter - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Mrs. Ann Watson, widow of Samuel Watson, Attica, was the daughter of William and Luan (Malatt) Van Meter, who were born in Virginia and married there, and emigrated to Ohio. In Butler county, of that state, where they lived, Mrs. Watson was born August 27, 1824. About 1832 or 1833 they finally came to Davis township, and settled in the neighborhood of Uncle Joe Brown's. Here she was reared and obtained a common education at a pioneer log school-house. April 3, 1844, she was united in marriage with Joun I. Dunkin, who was born February 10, 1817. He had previously been wedded to Margaret Dunkin, a cousin, who died within a year. He began on the place where Mrs. Watson lives, his father first buying him a piece of land, to which he added till his home embraced 240 acres, mostly arable. He died June 30, 1861, and she and her son, John, have bought the rights of the other heirs. Bating her third, John will own this desirable property. Mr. Dunkin was a man of quiet disposition, inclined to charity, and respected by all his neighbors. His children were Marion Dunkin, born February 19, 1845; Van Meter, June 23, 1847; Mary Elizabeth, December 21, 1849 (wife of Cyrus Honts); Reason, April 15, 1853 (died February 19, 1854) and John W., February 25, 1856. Van Meter lives in Vermilion county, Illinois, where he owns 250 acres of prairie land, and is a thriving farmer. Mrs. Watson was married a second time, to Samuel Watson, who was born near Cincinnati in 1825, and died April 6, 1974, aged forty-eight years and six months. He was twice drafted for the army, but 93paid out94 each time at a cost of $2,200. Mrs. Watson is not connected with any church, but has always liberally contributed to the support of the churches, and ant other worthy objects appealing for aid. Her mother is still living on the old homestead near West Point.