Charles C. Watson, of Wayne Township, is one of the prominent citizens of Jay County, with whose interests he has been identified for many years. His father, Brooks Watson, was a native of the old Granite State, born in the town of Ware, April 3, 1793. He married Abigail Caldwell, who was born in Franklin County, Vermont, September 28, 1798, the date of their marriage being July 8, 1817. The children born to them are -- George B., of Portland, who was born in Franklin County, Vermont, August 30, 1818; Mrs. Abby Replogle, born in Lower Canada, November 14, 1820, is now a widow, and resides in Portland; Charles C., whose name heads this sketch, was born in Colchester, Vermont, September 24, 1822; Shuball, born in Vermont, August 15, 1825, and died before the family moved West; James, born in New York September 2, 1827, and died in Pekin, Tazewell County, Illinois, February 8,1864; William H., born in Vermont October 14, 1830, is now living in Kansas; Samuel L., born in Vermont Oct 16, 1833, lives in Pekin, Illinois; Maryette was born in Fairfax County, Vermont, March 14, 1836, and Ophelia was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 11 1838. In 1837 the parents removed with their family from Vermont to Butler County, Ohio, and in 1839 settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. They came to Jay County, Indiana, in 1849, and settled on a farm in Jackson Township, which had been bought by their son, Charles C., the year before. The father died in Jackson Township in 1857, and the mother died February 22, 1885, in Wayne Township.
Charles C. Watson, the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents until after they removed to Cincinnati. When seventeen years old he returned to Vermont, and there served an apprenticeship of two years at the painters trade. He then returned to Cincinnati, and for a time worked at his trade, when he engaged in boating on the Miami, Wabash and Erie canals. He followed the canals about nine years, attaining to the position of Captain. In 1849 he came to Jay County, Indiana, and bought a farm in Jackson Township. He spent his time in boating during the summer months, returning to his farm in winters for several years.
In 1857 he married Miss Mary Topping, who was born February 14, 1836, a daughter of Josiah H. Topping, one of the old and honored pioneers of Jay County. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, two of whom are living -- Frank V., born October 9, 1857, and Flora B., born July 9, 1860. Adah A. and Irvin L. died in infancy. After his marriage Mr. Watson settled with his wife on his farm and began making a home. He had already done much toward improving his land, and in 1855 he erected a fine residence at a cost of over $2,600. He purchased the material for the building of his residence at Grand Rapids, which was shipped to Fort Wayne, thence by wagon to Jay County. The cement used in its construction was bought at Lockport, New York. The lumber was of the best quality, and 26, 000 bricks were used to build the cellar walls and chimney. This was at the time considered one of the finest farm residences in Eastern Indiana. In the spring of 1858 he sold his farm to George W. Templar, the place being now known as the Shafer farm. Mr. Watson then settled on his present farm on section 4, Wayne Township, where he has 129 acres of well improved land, on which he has 1.000 rods of tiling. His land is divided into convenient lots, well fenced. His residence which cost over $2,000, is situated on a beautiful elevation seventy-two feet above the site of Portland, located on the State road about two miles north of Portland. His barn and other out-buildings compare favorably with his residence.
For about five years Mr. Watson has given much attention to the raising of fine stock, and in 1886 he began raising Holstein and Jersey cattle, and now has some very fine specimens of those noted breeds. The same year he purchased a Kentucky blooded horse. His stock is supplied with water raised by windmill power from a never-failing source. Mr. Watson commenced life a poor boy, and his success has been attained by his own unaided efforts. He has always been a valuable citizen, contributing liberally of his means to the support of church, schools, and all public improvements. He is independent in his religious views, possessing a liberal feeling toward all religious denominations. He is an advocate of the cause of temperance and is a strict temperance man. In politics he has always affiliated with the Democratic party, casting his first vote for James K. Polk in 1844.
Josiah H. Topping, the father of Mrs. Watson, was born in Connecticut, February 10, 1797, and when a child was taken by his parents to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was there married April 3, 1834, to Belinda McCullough, a native of Sandusky County, born May 10, 1812. They came with their family to Jay County in 1837, Mr. Topping having come here prior to this time, and made his location. The family settled on section 4, Wayne Township, where he entered and improved a farm of 200 acres, on which he lived until his death, which occurred April 21, 1873. His wife died four years after coming to Jay County, the date of her death being January 25,1841. They were the parents of four children -- Leroy, born February 16,1835, was a resident of Wayne Township until his death June 25, 1886; Mary, wife of our subject, born February 14, 1836; John, born May 26, 1837, is now living in Colorado, and Thomas M. C., born July 12, 1840, died in infancy. Josiah H. Topping was a prominent pioneer of Jay County, and was esteemed for his many sterling qualities, and was in all respects a worthy representative of the grand old pioneer element that is fast passing away. In politics he was in early life a Whig, later an Abolitionist, and on the organization of the Republican party he became identified with it, affiliating with that party until his death. In early life he became a member of the United Brethren church, but subsequently severed his connection with that church and united with the Presbyterian church, but on account of the views of that church, he withdrew his membership, and joined the Congregationalists, being a member of that denomination at the time of his death.
SOURCE: p.306-308 "Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana," Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1887. Reprinted by Mayhill Publications of Knightstown, Indiana, 1974. This is the reprinted Jay County section out of the original combined 1887 History of Jay and Blackford counties. Submitted to GenWeb by Betty Creath