Watson, Fred C.

WATSON, BEELER, TISH, RIVERS, PRATT, FISHER

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/29/2009 at 15:44:24

History of Poweshiek Co. Iowa (1911)
Page 405-406

FRED C. WATSON

Fred C. Watson, whose pleasant homestead in Sugar Creek township bespeaks capable supervision and skill, was born in the township where he now resides on the 28th of June, 1872, a son of Simon and Susan (Beeler) Watson. The father was born in Greene county, Indiana, on the 10th of March, 1826, and the mother in Poweshiek county, Iowa. In his early manhood Simon Watson migrated to Iowa, locating in Sugar Creek township, Poweshiek county, where he bought a farm which he cultivated until his demise on the 4th of April, 1908. Mrs. Watson still survives and continues to make her home in Sugar Creek township. In matters politic Mr. Watson's views accorded with those of the democracy, for whose candidates he cast his ballot. Their family numbered seven, the order of birth being as follows: Annie, the wife of S.P. Tish, of Sugar Creek township; Belle, who married J.S. Rivers, of Washington township, Poweshiek county; George, who is a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa; Walter, who is deceased; Fred C., our subject; Winslow, also deceased; and Elmer, now living in Union township, Poweshiek county.

The district schools in the vicinity of his home provided Fred C. Watson with an education, while at the same time he was becoming acquainted with the best methods of tilling the fields by assisting his father with the work of the farm. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-four years of age, at which time he purchased his present place containing eighty acres of fine farming land. During the period of his occupancy Mr. Watson has wrought extensive improvements in his property, having erected some fine buildings, while at the same time he has effected some minor changes which have greatly added to the general appearance of the place. Here he follows general and stock farming and under his intelligent and capable direction both are proving very satifactory from a financial point of view.

On the 13th of December, 1896, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss Martha Pratt, a daughter of Alva and Mary (Fisher) Pratt, whose birth occurred in Pleasant township on the 23d of July, 1875. Mr. Pratt is a native of Peacham, Vermont, his natal day being the 14th of July, 1844, while Mrs. Pratt was born in New York city on the 3d of August, 1849. He removed to Illinois with his parents during his childhood and there he was educated and resided until 1871. In the latter year he came to Poweshiek county, purchasing a farm in Pleasant township, which he cultivated until his retirement. He is now living retired in Searsboro, having acquired the means to enable him to spend life's evening in ease and comfort, free from the care and responsibility of earlier years. He is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America. Mrs. Pratt passed away June 22, 1911.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Watson have been born eight children, the order of their birth being as follows: Roy, who was born on the 8th of January, 1898; Ethel, born on the 3d of August, 1899; Leo, born on the 22d of March, 1901; Alvah, born on the 18th of February, 1903; Lewis, born on the 28th of February, 1905; Robey, born on the 17th of August, 1906; Joseph, born on the 9th of December, 1907; and Alice, born on the 12th of June, 1909.

Ever since attaining his majority his political support Mr. Watson has always accorded the candidates of the democratic party, but he has not been an office seeker. Enterprising and progressive in his methods of pursuing his vocation Mr. Watson is meeting with increasing success in his undertakings, and is recognized as one of the prosperous agriculturists of his township.