Gunnison County CO Archives Biographies.....Watson, William 1867 - ? ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/cofiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 24, 2006, 2:09 pm Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Inasmuch as the human family is not yet thoroughly harmonized in feeling, exalted in purpose or convergent in effort, and knaves and dastards and midnight brawlers are still among us, necessitating multitudinous police, tipstaves, sheriffs and other officers of the law to keep men from plundering or throttling one another, or otherwise disturbing the peace of the community, it is always a comfort to know that the men selected for the administration of the important functions of restraining the lawless and preserving the peace are men of courage and resourcefulness, of high character and capability, and of unrelenting fidelity to duty, as is the case in Gunnison county, this state. And among the number none stands higher or more deservedly secure in the public regard than the present sheriff, William Watson, on whose official record the people have set the seal of their approval by a second election to the office in which he has rendered them such signal service. Mr. Watson was born in 1867 in Trumbull county, Ohio, where his parents, James and Elizabeth (McFarlan) Watson, settled about the year 1840. They are natives of Scotland and emigrated to America, settling in Canada in early life. In 1837 they became residents of Pennsylvania, where they remained about three years, then moved to Ohio, and during the next ten years they lived and flourished in that state. Still having a taste for the frontier, and seeing brighter hopes and larger opportunities in the wake of the setting sun, they moved in 1850 to Iowa, and for twenty-seven years contributed by their industry and inspiring example to the progress and development of that section of the country. In 1877 they took another flight toward the Pacific, settling at Trinidad, this state, from whence they moved four or five years later to Crested Butte, and from there came to reside at Gunnison four years ago. They have reached the age of seventy, and are now passing the evening of life in peace and comfort, surrounded by respecting and admiring friends, and in full enjoyment of the esteem of the people among whom they live. Their family consisted of six children, the Sheriff being the fourth in the order of birth. His childhood was passed in Ohio and Iowa, and he began his education in the public schools of the latter. In 1877, at the age of ten, he accompanied his parents and the rest of the family to Colorado, where he finished his education and grew to manhood. When he reached the age of nineteen he started in life for himself as a miner in the Baldwin coal fields, where he was employed eight or nine years. Following that experience he was engaged in mining at Crested Butte for five years and was then elected marshal of that town. In 1899, while serving as marshal of Crested Butte, he was elected sheriff of that county on the Republican ticket, and at the end of his first and second terms was re-elected as the candidate of the same party. The county is very large and the most of its surface is broken up by mighty mountain ranges, which make travel over it dangerous and trying to an unusual degree, and the duties of the sheriff are correspondingly enlarged in volume and difficulty. But Sheriff Watson has met the requirements in a masterful way and won general commendation by his fidelity, promptness and efficiency. He is also engaged in the livery business, which he conducts on the same high plane of business capacity and successful management that characterizes his performance of official duties. He takes an active interest in the social and fraternal life of the community, being himself a good entertainer and an appreciative listener to the efforts of others. He belongs to the Masonic order, the Woodmen of the World, the Redmen and the Knights of Pythias, with membership in lodges of these orders at Gunnison. On December 4, 1887, he was married to Miss Emily Gibson, a native of Scotland who came to the United States with her parents while she was yet very young. Two children have blessed their union, William J. and John W., both of whom are living at home and attending school. Additional Comments: From Progressive Men of Western Colorado. Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/gunnison/bios/watson385gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cofiles/ File size: 4.8 Kb