596327

[marlow.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 3, Ed. 1, Tree #6300, Date of Import: Sep 11, 1998]

William E. Watson was born in Richford, Tioga County, New York January 26, 1840, coming two years later with his parents to Unadilla, Livingston Co., Michigan where he spent his boyhood days. He was married in 1865 to Martha Norton, whom he met while they were both students at Albion.
Was engaged in saw-milling and cooperage business near his old home, when in 1873 he was elected Register of Deeds of Livingston county on the Republican ticket, serving in that capacity for two terms, after which he came to Bancroft, then a new town, engaged in the mercantile business and sold the first dry goods in the village in 1877, the store being located near the present residence of Ed. Dodge. He was continually in trade here until 1910, when he retired because of failing health. During these many years, he served at different times as village president and councilman and as a member of the school board. He was one of the organizers of the Bancroft Market Fair Association of which he was also secretary for several years. Also helped organize the Fremont Cemetary Association of which he was a former President. He was a member of the Republican Congressional Committee for Eighth District for several years. Was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1884 which nominated James G. Blaine for President. Was appointed deputy collector of Internal Revenue in 1889 for First District of Michigan comprising the counties of Genessee, Oakland, Livingston, Shiawassee and Washtenaw continuing about five years in this work. In this capacity, he collected a penalty and compelled the state of Michigan to take out a Liquor License for selling liquor in the canteen at soldiers encampment at Island Lake.
Whatever Mr. Watson undertook, he generally carried through and by his death Bancroft has lost a citizen that has always had the welfare of city at heart and has done many things that has helped it grow from year to year and we are sure his untiring efforts were greatly appreciated by the people.

-The Shiawassee Observer
Letter from William to his Mother, shortly after death of his wife:
My Dear Mother:
I feel that I owe you an apology for my negligence in answering your most welcome and comforting letter, which was received long ago or so it seems to me. I assure you, dear Mother, that time runs slow now. My conditions in life have been changed, oh so changed since I have written you. I hardly know what to write, more than to say that we are all quite well, including Claude and family. John was at home over last Sunday, in fact, he is home every other Saturday and Sunday and we all feel it is truly a blessing to have him so often. I received a letter from May today. She is quite well, we hear from her every day and I have taken up the pen that her Mother laid down and write her a short letter every morning, so she hears from home every day. Ruth is doing magnificently in taking care of the boys and myself. She is developing into a grand woman following in the footsteps of her mother. The boys are at home, Will is in the store and Mark in school. But Mother, there is a vacant place everywhere in our house, at the table, at the fireside and in fact in everything and I find it very hard to make myself believe it is all for the best, still we are taught it is so, yes it must be so. Mother, I cannot help rebeling sometimes. Now I must stop for Mark is out of school and I am going out in the country 4 or 5 miles to fix up a poor account. Mark, of course, is my driver. I hope to visit you this Spring before Garden making. I want to get everything ready so that when I go I can stay a few days. I hope you are well and that when the Summer days come you will feel yourself again. We had a good visit with Mary when she was here and hope she will arrange another visit this Spring or Summer at the farthest. Kindly remember me to Jane's family, also Flonce and Family and if Mary is then to her, with very much Love to you.
I am as ever your boy.
Will

Written on April 9 1895.