OBIT: David WATSON, 1874, Hollidaysburg, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by MS Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ DAVID WATSON - Was born in Indiana County, in 1810. During his early days he was engaged on the Pennsylvania Canal, on this side of the mountain. He then went to the Western side, where he remained until he was appointed Superintendent of the Portage Rail Road, by the Canal Commissioners. He occupied that position for a number of years. He then accepted the agency of the "Pennsylvania and Ohio Line", at this point, and eventually obtained an interest in it. After the "Public Improvements" were transferred to the Pa. R.R. Co., he went into the foundry business, under the firm name of Watson, McLanahan & Co. Afterwards in connection with several other gentlemen, they organized the firm of Watson, White & Co. This firm built "Hollidaysburg Furnace," and did a general mercantile business. When the furnace was sold by them to the Blair Iron & Coal Company, Mr. Watson still retained his interest, and was elected Superintendant of that Company, which he occupied until his decease. The Blair Iron and Coal Company under his supervision, has prospered, and since their organization, have acquired Chimney Rock Furnace at this place, Bennington Furnace, Frankstown Furnace, and large bodies of ore and coal lands, in different sections of the county. He was a man of unsurpassed capacity, a warm friend, and a good citizen. He possessed the respect of his fellow citizens to an almost unsurpassed degree. His funeral was largely attended. It was a source of general remark that there never was a gloomier day in Hollidaysburg than the 14th day of February 1874. David Watson died in this place, on Thursday the 12th inst., and was buried in the Presbyterian cemetery on Saturday, the 14th inst. The Register, Hollidaysburg, Pa., Wednesday, February 18, 1874 1870 Hollidaysburg, Blair County census - David Watson, 60 Eliza Watson, 55 Mary Watson, 15