Watson, George H.

WATSON, STOCKS, ENGLE

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 20:38:40

WATSON, GEORGE H.

George H. Watson, a retired businessman of Rock Rapids, with varied and eventful experiences as farmer and dealer in agricultural implements, was born May 4, 1862 near Freeport, Illinois, a son of Frederick and Eliza (Stocks) Watson. His parents were native to the soil of England and came to this country about 1842. For some two years they lived on a rented farm in Pennsylvania, and then coming to Stephensen County, Illinois settled on a farm near Freeport. There the father still lives at the advanced age of eighty years, and there George H., whose name introduces this article, was born. The elder Watson retired from active labors about fifteen years ago and is now enjoying the results of honorable and industrious years. His wife, the mother of George H., died in 1887, when sixty-six years old. She was the mother of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters. All are living, have married and have had children.

George H. Watson was reared on the farm, but living as his parents did, only about a mile and a half north of Freeport, he and his brothers and sisters would walk to the city school, thus securing better schooling than falls to the average farm lad. In 1883 he was married to Miss Rose E. Engle, by whom he became the sire of four children: Edward E., William B., Stephen W., and Marguerite.

After his marriage he remained at home until the fall of 1886. That year he removed to Lyon County, where he bought a farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land. This he converted by hard labor into a very desirable place, with a neat and attractive frame house and other needed buildings. His home was maintained on this place until 1889 when he moved to Rock Rapids and went into the agricultural implement business. In this he ran a very successful career, and in the fall of 1897 practically retired from business. At the present time he owns two sections of fine land in Garfield, Rock and Midland Townships in Lyon County. His present fine home was bought several years ago. Then it cost some $5,000. Today it could not be duplicated for less than $8,000. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for J.G. Blaine. Both Mr. and Mrs. Watson are prominent in the Methodist church.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson