WATSON, James H.
Source: Weekly Argus News Jan 7, 1899 p 2
One of the saddest deaths we have been calle dupon to chronicle for some time is that of James H. Watson, who passed away at 10 o'clock Sunday at the family residence on East Wabash Avenue. Christmas eve he was down town participating in the happy holidy festivities and was among the gayest of the gay. On Christmas evening he was taken sick and a day or two later became apparent his illness was pneumonia and that his condition was serious. He grew rapidly worse despite the most careful attention and nursing and shortly after 10 o'clock Sunday night the dissolution came. He was rational to the last and conversed freely with the family and sorrowing friends who gathered about the bedside. He had no fear of death and his only regret was the parting from loved ones.
Than Jim Watson no one in the entire community was held in higher esteem and the passing of ono one could cause sorrow more profound. In a word, he was a "square man." He was somewhat brusque of manner but he meant no one harm. His heart was as tender as a woman's and oftimes prompted him to acts of kindness and charity of which none but the beneficiaries ever knew. The deceased was the son of WIlliam P. and Eliza A. Watson and was born in this city November 9th, 1836l. His entire life was spent in the pork packing business with his uncle, James Watson. When the war broke out in 1861 he enlisted in Co G 10th Indiana and upon the promotion of his captain he was raised from the lieutenancy to the captaincy of his company. He served his country well, retiring with a record for gallantry. Leaving the army Mr. Watson worked a year in a Louisville tobacco house. Later he worked in Terre Haute but gave up that position to accept a deputyship in the Auditor's office here. In 1871 he made a successful race for the office and filled the same with honor and credit until 1879. After a short vacation he associated himself with the Watson, Coutant & Co. firm, carriage makers, and continued with the same for some years. Of late years he has engaged in the cresting business, having splendidly equipped factory on east Jefferson Street. Mr. Watson was married Jan 15, 1867 to Elizabeth Reynolds of Fountain County. They had no children but raised Austin Long, a nephew, and parents could not have been kinder or more indulgent. Mr. Watson was a member of the famous Montgomery Guards and a lt. in the company when it was reorganized. He belonge to the Royal Arcanum and was a prominent member, also and a director of the Montgomery County Agricultural Association. - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, 6 January 1899
The city saddened last Monday by the announcement that James H. Watson had died Sunday at 10 o'clock p. m. Mr. Watson had been in ill health for a year, but was apparently gaining until last Sunday when he was taken sick and gradually grew worse. He was afflicted with pneumonia and toward the last heart trouble set in. Nothing of a serious character was apprehended until the latter part of the week and not until Sunday was the real condition of the patient realized. He became unconscious in the morning and remained so until a few hours before his death when his mind cleared and he talked freely with his relatives and friends, expressing himself as willing to go. The funeral took place at the residence on Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock. James H. Watson was born in Crawfordsville on November 9, 1836. His father was William P. Watson, who came here from Ohio the year of James H. Watson's birth, and opened a dry goods store. He was postmaster from 1842 until after 1850 and then established a tannery here. This was finally converted into a harness factory and continued until 1875, when he died. James Watson did not fancy the tannery and when old enough to take up responsibilities he went in with his uncle, James Watson, in the pork packing business, which he continued for some fifteen years When a young man he took a great interest in military affairs and was a leading member of the Montgomery Guards, organized by Lew Wallace When the war broke out he enlisted in 1861 in the 10th Indiana and was commissioned as first lieutenant of Company G, the company of which D. Manson was captain. The regiment was in a preparation camp for a season and there Mr. Watson acted as drillmaster, his experience with the Montgomery Guards giving him an efficiency for this work that no one else in the regiment had. When the regiment went into active service Captain Manson was promoted to colonelcy and Mr. Watson became captain of Co. G. He continued in the service until after the battle of Rich Mountain. He then resigned his commission and took a position in a wholesale tobacco house in Louisville. After spending a year there he then spent a season in Terre Haute as a hotel clerk. Leaving this he came to Crawfordsville and took a position as deputy auditor. In 1870 he was nominated by the Democrats for the office of auditor and was elected. In this campaign he carried Union township, a feat never accomplished before or since by a Democrat. He served two terms as auditor and retired in 1879. He was not long idle, for three weeks after his retirement the carriage manufacturing company of Watson, Coutant & Co. was formed, the business being conducted in the building just opposite the city hall on Green street. This company afterwards became the firm of Watson & Pursel and was continued as such until dissolved a few years ago, when Mr. Watson went into the manufacture of metalic cresting, in which business he was engaged at the time of his death. Mr. Watson was prominently identified with all the enterprises which looked toward the building up of the city and county and was loyal to the interests of the community. For many years he was an officer in the fair association and was connected with other interests of a like character. In 1867 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Reynolds, daughter of Horace P. Reynolds, and she survives him No children were born to them but a nephew, Austin Long, was raised as a son. Mr. Watson was a straightforward, honest man, blunt spoken but with a heart as kindly as a child's. His hand was open as the day for melting charity and scores of the poor of Crawfordsville can bear witness of his bounty. He loved his friends and was liberal to those who sought to do him wrong, living always a man with a big heart and a mind that bore no malice. He loved to work and he loved to play and all he did furnished inspiration to those about him. The memory of Jim Watson will long be a very pleasant one to those who knew him, and pleasantest to those who knew him best. - thanks so much to Kim H for this nice obit
Source: Waynetown Despatch Saturday, January 7, 1899
James H. Watson, of Crawfordsville, died Sunday night. Mr. Watson was one of the best known men of the county, both politically and in business. He was 62 years old. -s