Watson, Joseph O.

WATSON

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/23/2021 at 14:13:58

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.874
JOSEPH OTIS WATSON
One of the leading members of the Warren County bar, now successfully engaged in practice in Indianola, is Joseph Otis Watson, who was born in this city on the 10th of November 1869, a son of Judge Joseph C. Watson, who was one of the most prominent citizens of this section of the state at an early day. The latter was a native of Fairmont, West Virginia, and of English descent, though for many generations the family has resided in this country and was represented in the Revolutionary war. Judge Watson obtained a good education and in early manhood took up the study of law, becoming a member of the West Virginia bar. Coming to Iowa in 1854, he purchased a tract of land in Squaw Township, Warren County, on which he lived for some years, during which time he speculated in land and dealt considerably in stock. Subsequently he took up his residence in Indianola and embarked in merchandising, meeting with success in all his undertakings. His fraternal relations connected him with the Masonic Order, and he also held membership in the Baptist Church. One of the leading Democrats of the community, he took an active interest in public affairs and served as county judge of Warren County for four years.
Judge Watson was united in marriage to Miss Julia Ann Armstrong, who was born in Ripley, West Virginia, of English ancestry, and was also descended from good old Revolutionary stock. She, too, was an earnest member of the Baptist church and died in that faith in October 1907, in her seventy-third year. The Judge passed away in 1877, at the age of forty-four. In their family were seven children, of whom five are still living, namely: P. Gad, a resident of Indianola; J.H. also a resident of Indianola; Martha, who has taught school in that city; Joseph O., of this review; and Julia H., who has also taught in Indianola.
Joseph O. Watson attended the common schools of Indianola and later was graduated from Simpson College in 1893, after which he taught French and German in his alma mater for two years. In 1897 he was graduated from the law department of the State University at Iowa City and then began practice at Indianola. In his chosen profession he has met with marked success, being today regarded as one of the most prominent attorneys of the city, with a large and representative clientage.
In 1902 Mr. Joseph O. Watson was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Clark, who was born in Wayne County, Iowa in 1870, a daughter of L.B. and Louisa (Mendenhall) Clark. Three sons grace this union, namely: Joseph, Vinton and Richard. The parents are both members of the Baptist church, and Mr. Watson is also connected with the Masonic fraternity. His political allegiance is given the Republican Party and he has filled the office of county attorney two terms in an able and satisfactory manner. He stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren and is justly regarded as one of the leading citizens and lawyers of his native county.

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.353
JOSEPH OTIS WATSON JR.
J. O. Watson Jr., attorney at Indianola, was born there Aug. 26, 1903, the son of Joseph O. and Fannie (Clark) Watson. Mr. Watson graduated from Simpson College in 1925 and from the college of law of the State University of Iowa in 1928.
Feb. 15, 1930, he married Betty Virginia Gay, daughter of Richard H. and Aimee H. Gay. Mrs. Watson was born at San Francisco, Calif., Dec. 22, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have three sons: Joseph Otis, born May 21, 1933; Richard Gay, born Aug. 3, 1940; John Frederick, born Dec. 4, 1944.
In 1928 Mr. Watson entered the practice of law in Indianola as the junior partner of his father. This partnership continued until the death of the elder Watson as a result of an automobile accident in 1936. For two terms, 1929-32, he was county attorney. For a number of years Mr. Watson was chairman of the Warren County Republican Central committee. He is a director in the Hartford-Carlisle Savings bank. For the past three years he has been a member of the board of governors of the Iowa Bar association. He is a member of the Lions club, the Des Moines club and of the Presbyterian Church. In the general election in 1952 Mr. Watson was elected as the Warren County representative in the Iowa general assembly, in which capacity he is now serving. Address: 1209 North C street, Indianola.