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				HENRY AND MARY (VEDDER) WATSON

	Henry Watson, one of the enterprising self-made men of Montcalm	County, was born in 
Nottinghamshire, England, Jan. 29, 1836.  When nine years of age his father died, leaving a wife 
and three boys, of whom Henry was the oldest.  In 1850 the mother with her three children came 
to Kent Co., Mich., where she was married to Joseph Denman, and old acquaintance from the same
place in the old country, who had preceded her to this country.  His wife had died, leaving a 
family of small children.  By this marriage the two families were united.  Henry then, being 
fourteen years of age, struck out for himself, and from that day has been entirely upon his own 
resources, first working at such jobs  as a boy could secure in a new country.  Being energetic 
and reliable, he soon secured a position as sawyer in a good mill, which position he occupied 
until July, 1857, when he was married to Mary Vedder.  From this time  the progress of Mr. Watson
was marked and steady.  The wise counsels and frugal habits of Mrs. Watson aided her husband, and
have contributed largely to his success in latter years.  The fall after he married Mr. Watson 
made his first purchase of real estate, which was forty acres of unimproved land in the town of 
Oakfield, Kent Co.  At that time he had saved seventy-five dollars, with which he made the first 
payment on the land.  From this small beginning, by diligence and perseverance, he has kept 
steadily on, and the forty acres of wild land has expanded to a fine farm of two hundred and 
thirty acres, with large improvements, fine buildings, and pleasant surroundings.  Yet the 
business of Mr. Watson is that of a lumberman;  first running a mill by the thousand, then 
leasing a mill, finally buying the mill-property known as the "Underhill mill," which he has 
rebuilt with all modern improvements.  In connection with the mill property he has some six 
hundred acres of land, with one hundred under improvement.  He also has a lumber-yard at  
Brighton, Livingston Co., where he retails his lumber.
	Politically, Mr. Watson is a Republican; in that, as all matters, he takes decided 
grounds.  In all local public affairs he takes an active part; on the school boards has occupied 
some position for many years; is justice of the peace and town Clerk.  On all questions of reform 
he has a deep interest; is an outspoken temperance advocate, and chairman of the township 
temperance committee.  Mr. and Mrs. Watson are active and consistent members of the Baptist 
Church, of which he is deacon, and superintendent of the Sunday-school.  They are the parents 
of five children, two sons and three daughters.  They have lost two children.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Page 476.  Montcalm Twp.