BIO: Stanley K. WATSON, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ STANLEY K. WATSON. Among the more prominent farmers of Boggs township is the subject of this biography, whose name stands high on the military records of the Civil war, as well as in the annals of Centre county. By perseverance and industry he has gained a foothold in the world, being a self-made man, and is one of the honored and highly respected citizens of the community. His home is pleasantly located in Boggs township on the Marsh Creek road, just four miles south of where his birth occurred December 14, 1841. His parents, Thomas and Annie (Mackey) Watson, were natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively, and were married in Centre county, where they spent their remaining days, the father dying December 14, 1856, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother of February 28, 1879, at the age of eighty-one years. In their family were the following children: Hannah, born November 21, 1816, is the deceased wife of Thomas McMullen; Joseph, born January 29, 1818, and George, born July 22, 1819, are both deceased; Jane, born April 1, 1821, is living in Boggs township; Margarie, born September 28, 1823, is the widow of William Stanley, of Boggs township; Green, born February 4, 1824, was killed by some lumber falling on him; Nancy, born October 23, 1824, is deceased; Julian, born September 24, 1827, married Henry Pownall, but both are now deceased; Margaret, born August 1, 1829, is the wife of Perry Akins, of Boggs township; Elizabeth, born August 3, 1831, David, born April 29, 1833, Sarah, born January 10, 1835, Edward, born April 11, 1837, and Lucinda, born November 9, 1839, are all deceased; and Stanley K. completes the family. The father was twice married, and by the first union had five children, all now deceased, namely: James, born July 23, 1804; Abraham, born May 23, 1807; John, born August 31, 1809; Thomas, born September 14, 1812; and Mary, who was born January 25, 1814, and became the wife of Joseph Akley. In early life the father engaged in the manufacture of charcoal, and later followed farming. He took an active part in political affairs, always supporting the Democratic party, and acceptably served in several local offices, including that of school director. Religiously he was a member of the Messiah Church. At the age of sixteen, on the death of his father, Stanley K. Watson left home, and for two years worked in a sawmill, after which he was in the lumber woods until 1863. Filled with patriotic ardor, in that year he enlisted in Company E, 148th P.V.I., and remained in the service until honorably discharged March 21, 1865, on account of disability. While under Capt. John McCabe, at the battle of Cold Harbor, in front of Richmond, June 3, 1864, he received a gunshot wound, which incapacitated his right arm; he also received a slight wound in the hip at North Ann River, Va. He was first sent to Lincoln Hospital at Washington, D.C., but was afterward transferred to White Hall Hospital in Bucks county, Penn., where he remained until receiving his discharge. For one year after his return home, Mr. Watson engaged in no occupation, but spent the time in trying to regain his usual health. He then followed lumbering on Brush creek until 1881, when he purchased his present home, to the cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted 406 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. his time and attention with most gratifying results. Although he has the use of but one arm, he is an energetic, industrious man and a most skillful farmer. The government grants him a pension of $36 per month. On October 21, 1866, Mr. Watson was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Poorman, who was born May 1, 1842, and they have three children: Laura A., born March 26, 1868, is the wife of William S. Walker, a puddler of Milesburg; John T., born March 3, 1869, married Emma Confer, by whom he has one son, Clyde M., and they reside with our subject; and Ellen J., born September 13, 1870, is the wife of James E. Confer, a farmer of Boggs township. Politically, Mr. Watson adheres to the Republican party, and he has faithfully served as road supervisor, school director for six years, and is now serving his third year as township auditor. A conscientious, earnest Christian, he is a consistent member of the Messiah Church at Marsh Creek, of which he is deacon and trustee, while, socially, he is connected with George L. Porter Post No. 261, G.A.R., of Milesburg, of which he is the popular commander. In all the relations of life he has been found true and faithful to every duty, and as loyal to his country in days of peace as when following the stars and stripes to victory on Southern battlefields.