Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Watson, Rev. Robert H. June 4, 1841 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 16, 2009, 2:00 am Author: Chapman Brothers REV. ROBERT H. WATSON, a retired minister of the United Brethren Church, and a farmer on sec. 2, Grant Tp., was born in New Baltimore, Green Co., N.Y., June 4, 1841. His father, John Watson, was born in New York, in 1901, and died Nov. 15, 1864. His mother, Mahala Watson, was born in the Empire State in 1802, and died Aug. 15, 1853. Mr. Watson was but 12 years of age when he lost his mother, and from that period practically made his way in the world unaided. He was in his 20th year when the nation was called to arms by the revolt of the South, and May 13, 1861, Mr. Watson enrolled himself as a defender of the unity of the United States. He enlisted in Co. F., 33d N.Y. Bo. INf., at Nunda, N.Y. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac, under McClellan, and was in Washington at the date of the Bull Run disaster to the Northern forces. Pressing on toward the front, the disorganized hosts of soldiers and citizens, infantry and cavalry, met them in all the discomfiture and confusion of that defeat and panic. Mr. Watson's introduction to the heat and frenzy of battle and to the smell of rebel powder, was on May 5, 1862, at Wiliamstown. His next regular battles were at Yorktown, Mechanicsville, - seven miles from Richmond, - Peach Orchard, Savage Station, White-Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Turkey Bend, Antietam, Fredericksburg (1st and 2d) and Mary's Heights, where the conflict raged for two days. Mr. Watson received a wound in the right arm from a minie ball, and another shot entered the right breast, passing out below the armpit. From the latter he never recovered. His term of enlistment expired while he was in the hospital, and he received his discharge June 2, 1863. He was occupied as a clerk in a store about a year, subsequent to his return from the army, and the year following rented a farm and gave his attention to agriculture. He was married June 20, 1863, to Julia A., daughter of Timothy W. and Jane Buckland, of Eagle, Wyoming Co., N.Y. Mrs. Watson was born Oct. 26, 1844. Her father was born in Wymoing Co., N.Y., Aug. 19, 1821. He enlisted in March, 1864, in the Union army, was taken prisoner and sent to Salisbury, N.C., where he died i the prison pen, Nov. 19, 1864. Her mother was born in Boston, Mass., May 14, 1824, and is yet living. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Watson were born as follows: Franklin E., Oct. 14, 1864; Timothy W., April 4, 1866; Phebe H., April 9, 1868; Henrietta E., April 30, 1875; John J., May 23, 1878 (died April 6, 1870); Minnie M., March 28, 1880. In 1867 Mr. Watson came to Grant Tp., ad, under the provisions of the homestead law, located on the farm he now occupies, which contains 80 acres of good land, and is well fitted with a comfortable house and good farm buildings. He is a Republican, and is active in all reformatory measures, especially in temperance work. He has served his township one year as Supervisor, one year as Township Clerk, and three years as Road Commissioner. In 1873 he entered the ministry, laboring in the interets of the society of United Brethren, to which himself and wife belong. He was a traveling minister for atime and in 1879 was ordained Elder. In 1880 he was elected Presiding Elder, re-elected the next year, and compelled to locate in 1882, on account of a difficulty of the throat. Additional Comments: 1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/watson528nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 4.0 Kb