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PETER W. WATSON, deceased, well deserves a record in this work. He was the son of Samuel H. and Emma (Perrine) Watson, and was born in Harrisville, Harrison Co., Ohio, Dec. 17, 1852. When but four years of age, he came with his parents to Vinton, which was ever afterward his home. His early boyhood and youth were marked by an earnest, manly spirit, which would neither do nor suffer wrong. Those who knew him best say that he always appeared older than his years. His literary education was obtained in the common and High School of Vinton, supplemented by a few terms at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Early developing a taste for practical business affairs, he went to Chicago and took a course in a business college, thus fitting himself for the large field then opened to him in his father's bank, a business that he found congenial to his tastes, and for which his natural endowments, strengthened by his educational pursuits, well fitted him. At the early age of nineteen years, when few young men ever think of settling down to a steady business, he was admitted as a partner in the large and growing bank of his father. In the discharge of every duty devolving upon him, he was earnest, faithful and conscientious. His father often sought his advice and relied implicitly on his judgment, and not unfrequently found it safer than his own. He was conservative in business as well as in thought and habits, and the public soon learned to appreciate him as a safe, honest and upright young man.On the 14th day of May, 1873, he was united in marriage to one of Vinton's most estimable young ladies, Miss Blanche Hewes, born in Pittsfield, Mass., and a daughter of Charles E. and Abigail S. Hewes. Three children were born to them, two sons and one daughter — Samuel H., March 15, 1877; Ralph M., Dec. 17, 1880; Leah L., March 21, 1883. Mrs. Watson, in every sense of the word, was truly a helpmeet to her husband, rejoicing with him in all his successes, helping him to bear all the burdens of life, and in the long sickness that preceded his death, with tender hands and loving heart, ministered to his wants and comforted him in his afflictions. Mr. Watson died on the 29th of October, 1884, his body being laid to rest in the beautiful Evergreen Cemetery at Vinton. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and had attained the degree of Knight Templar. By that body he was interred, the beautiful and impressive rites being performed over his grave. Few men of his age who have passed away were more sadly mourned. He was a kind and indulgent husband and father, a good, public-spirited citizen, one worthy of the high regard and esteem in which he was held. In memory of him and of two sisters who have also passed away, his parents have placed a fine organ in the Presbyterian Church in Vinton, and as its sweet tones float heavenward, the worshipers will think of and drop a tear in memory of Peter W. Watson.
A fine lithograph portrait of Mr. Watson, which will be highly appreciated by those who knew him, is to be found on the opposite page.
Source Citation: "1887 Benton County, Iowa Biographies" [database online] Benton County IAGenWeb Project. <http://iagenweb.org/benton/>
Original data: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Benton County, Iowa." Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887, p. 307.
Transcribed by: Sue Soden. Submitted to the Benton County IAGenWeb Project on February 12th, 2009. Copyright © 2009 The IAGenWeb Project.
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