GEORGE WASHINGTON WATSON.-Trained to habits of industry and honesty, and familiar with farming pursuits from boyhood, George W. Watson, of Haddon township, is numbered among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of this part of Sullivan county, being the owner of one of the best improved and best managed farms in this vicinity. A native of Indiana, he was born, September 4, 1842, in Martin county, a son of Singleton Wilson Watson.
A lifelong resident of Indiana, Singleton W. Watson was born August 11, 1809, and died August 22, 1876, in Knox county. Choosing agriculture as his means of making a livelihood, he began his career as a farmer and stock raiser in Martin county, from whence he came to Sullivan county during the fifties, settling in Haddon township, where he was employed in tilling the soil until his retirement from active labor, his last years being spent with his children. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Albright, was born in Indiana, June 29, 1813, and died in Sullivan county, March 4, 1864. Her father, John Henry Albright, a lifelong farmer, was born in Pennsylvania, and died in Martin county, Indiana. Thirteen children were born of the union of S. W. and Hannah (Albright) Watson, as follows: John H., deceased, was born July 13, 1833; Sarah Ann, deceased, was born July 12, 1834; Elizabeth, born October 13, 1837, died March 13, 1883; Joseph R., born February 7, 1840, resides in Knox county; George W., of this sketch; James R., residing in Knox county, was born November 19, 1844; Thomas R., born November 19, 1846, is a resident of Oaktown, Indiana; Weston R., born November 22, 1848, died June 26, 1873; Benjamin F., born February 27, 1851, died April 6, 1879; Singleton W., of Huntington county, Indiana, was born February 28, 1853; Mary H., born April 19, 1855, died January 4, 1879; Willis W., born October 11, 1857, resides in Huntington county, Indiana; and a child that died in infancy.
Leaving home at the age of fifteen years, George W. Watson worked by the month on the farm of Samuel Johnson, afterwards being similarly employed for a year in Knox county. On July 6, 1861, responding to the call for troops, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty-first Indiana Heavy Artillery, and served as a private until honorably discharged, at New Orleans, July 31, 1864. He took part in many engagements, including those at Baton Rouge, Donaldsonville, St. Charles, Bisland, and at Port Hudson, where the siege lasted forty-five days, and during the entire period of his enlistment, although often under fire, was fortunate enough to escape without a wound. He now receives a pension for his services to his country in her time of need. On returning to his home, Mr. Watson began farming on his own account in Haddon township, and in his free and independent vocation has met with well merited success. He has accumulated a good property, and in addition to the home estate owns a farm of forty acres in Jefferson township, and supervises its management. He is a stanch Republican in politics, influential in local affairs, and for several years has been a member of the Republican precinct committee. Socially, he belongs to Carlisle Post, No. 445, G. A. R.
On June 26, 1870, Mr. Watson married Helen C. Berry, who was born in Knox county, Indiana, July 19, 1850. Her father, William A. Berry, was born, October 5, 1800, in Shenandoah county, Virginia, and died in Knox county, Indiana, October 18, 1861. When about fourteen years of age, he went to Kentucky, where he followed his trades of a blacksmith and carpenter for a number of years. Coming to Knox county, Indiana, in 1840, he improved a farm, and also worked at his trades, continuing residence there until his death. He married Lucinda Million, who was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, April 11, 1805, and died January 28, 1867, in Indiana. Both were members of the Baptist church. Twelve children were born of their union, namely: Lydia K., born March 17, 1828, died July 23, 1885; Daniel T., born July 27, 1829, died April 8, 1908; John M., born November 8, 1830, resides in Greene county, Indiana; William A., of Knox county, Indiana, was born August 19, 1832; Amanda E., born July 14, 1834, resides in Knox county; Susan A., residing in Jefferson township, born April 16, 1836, is the wife of Alexander Robbins; James L., born October 30, 1837, is a resident of Indianapolis; Angeline, widow of the late John Miller, of Carlisle, was born November 1, 1839; Sarah E., born January 21, 1848, died September 12, 1901; Helen C., wife of Mr. Watson; and two children that died in infancy.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Watson, namely: Nora Ollie, born September 24, 1871, died April 4, 1879; Jennie M., born January 29, 1875, was educated in the Carlisle schools and at the State Normal College in Terre Haute, and taught school three terms in Haddon township and one term in Pearson township; Otto Dare, born October 4, 1877, died March 17, 1879; and Carl A., born January 12, 1880, now a photographer in Terre Haute, married Nora Shake, and they have one son, Dwight C., and one daughter, Mildred Florence, who died when two months old. Religiously, Mr. Watson belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife and daughters are members of the Baptist church.