Tuscola-Huron County MI Archives Biographies.....Watson, Robert A. 1844 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 20, 2007, 7:47 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

ROBERT A. WATSON, M. D. Although this gentleman has been located in Caro but a
few years he has already won the honors of a skillful, conscientious physican,
[sic] continuing the reputation which he held elsewhere. He was the recipient of
the best instruction, both from private parties under whom he had read, and in
schools which he attended, and has continued the pursuit of knowledge in his
chosen profession, making frequent and successful scientific investigations
which have a bearing upon his work. As a surgeon he is also well known and his
services are in constant demand.

  Canada was the native country of Dr. Watson, and he was born December 5, 1844,
in Hamilton, Ontario. His father, Richard Watson, was a native of England, while
the mother, whose maiden name was Ann Akins, was born in Ireland. They removed
at an early day to Canada where the remaining years of their lives were passed.
Our subject was early orphaned by the death of his father, he being then only
eight years old. He remained at the old homestead in Canada until he was about
sixteen, gaining a practical knowledge of agricultural pursuits and attending
the common schools of the district whenever opportunity afforded, which was very
seldom.

  In 1862, at the age of seventeen, our subject came to Michigan and settled in
Caro, working at whatever employment he could find which would furnish him with
an honorable living. For a time he carried the mail through the forest from
Saginaw to Forestville, a distance of sixty miles, which he had to travel on
foot on account of no roads having been opened. Sickness compelled him to cease
from this arduous work and he returned to Ontario in 1865. He had carefully
hoarded his earnings and in 1866 entered the Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio,
where he was a student three years, graduating in pharmacy in 1869.

  Next we find Dr. Watson in Petrolia, Ontario, where he worked at distilling
and refining oil. He it was who first proposed the pumping of the oil from the
works to the depot, and he was also oil inspector there for some time. While at
that place he was married to Miss Mary A. Hunt, of Berea, Ohio, who was
graduated from the Baldwin University with the degree of B. M. She was a woman
of unusually fine culture and amiable disposition, but died soon after the birth
of her only child—Mary A., who was born in Huron County, Mich., January 8, 1873.
Dr. Watson had removed to Huron County in 1872 and had become connected with the
Caseville Iron Works as assistant superintendent. These works were under the
supervision of William McKinley, father of the famous statesman.

  In this way Dr. Watson was employed some two or three summers, the winters
being passed in teaching. He made some investments in real estate but the panic
of 1873 caused him to close out all his property and with the proceeds he went
to Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended the Western Reserve Medical School. He
studied under Dr. James M. Lathrop, of Dover, Cuyahoga County, one of the most
distinguished physicians of Northern Ohio. With this gentleman he had formed an
acquaintance through his second marriage which took place in October, 1875, his
bride being Miss Almeda C. Steans, of Olmsted, Cuyahoga County. After graduation
from the medical school our subject entered into partnership with Dr. Lathrop,
which continued about ten years.

  Next we find Dr. Watson located in Huron County, Mich., where he practiced at
Ubly three years and carried on a drug store in the same place. He there
invested in land which he still owns, it comprising a half section within the
city limits. Selling his drug store he built another, which burnt down a short
time after its erection. In 1888 he decided to move to Caro to avail himself of
the good facilities that city offered in the way of educational advantages. Of
his second marriage two children—Ethel and Mabel—have been born. Dr. Watson has
been a member of the Cuyahoga Medical Society since 1880 and stands high in the
profession. He has purchased property in Caro and intends to make it his
permanent home. Prior to coming here he went to Texas with a view to locating,
but becoming sick was forced to abandon the idea of settling in the South. He
enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice in Caro and the surrounding country.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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