Watson - John W.
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Review, November 11, 1919
Mrs. Gilbert A. Eldredge received a telegram Monday announcing the sudden death Sunday evening of her brother, John W. Watson, at his home in Fargo, North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Eldredge left Monday night for Fargo to attend the funeral services, which will be held Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Watson had many friends in Crawfordsville, where he spent his boyhood and college days. He was the son of Samuel E. and Elizabeth Watson, well known residents of this city for many years. His father and mother, who lived here in the Watson homestead on West Main Street, died several years ago, both at an advanced age. They were the parents of three children: Will Watson, who died a number of years ago at Knightstown, where he was in business; John S. Watson of Fargo, and Mrs. Eldredge of this city. Mr. Watson was 62 years of age at the time of his death. He was born in Covington, coming to Crawfordsville with his parents in his boyhood. He was educated at Wabash College, being graduated with the class of 1878. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity in college. For two years following his graduation, he taught in the preparatory department at Wabash. In the early eighties he went to North Dakota to follow his chosen profession of the law. For a while he was located at Jamestown but later removed to Fargo, where he practiced his profession with eminent success, becoming one of the most widely known and successful attorneys of the northwest. He was prominent as a corporation attorney, his firm being counsel for a number of the largest financial institutions of Minnesota and the Dakotas. He was the senior member of the firm of Watson, Young, and Comny. Mr. Watson was also interested in several manufacturing and financial enterprises in North Dakota. Mr. Watson is survived by his widow and one daughter, Constance, whose husband, James Polleck, is a young attorney of Fargo. Two grandchildren also survive. Mr. Watson's death was sudden, expiring while sitting in a chair at his home. A letter, written and mailed by him Saturday, was received Monday by Mrs. Eldredge stating he would arrive in this city Friday or Saturday for a visit. His wife was in Minneapolis on a visit, where he would meet her, come to Chicago for a few days, and then come to Crawfordsville. Mr. Watson's health had been very good . - transcribed by kbz