James Watson

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: WATSON, PATRICK, HUFFMAN, KING

JAMES WATSON. The subject of this sketch owns and occupies 440 acres of land in Ludlow Township, which constitutes one of the finest farms in this part of Champaign County. His career has been one eminently worthy of record as illustrating in a forcible manner the results of steady perseverance and unremitting industry. He commenced life in a modest manner with only such means as he had himself accumulated, and upon first coming to Ludlow Township, purchased eighty acres of unimproved land. It is probable that he himself did not anticipate the entire results of his native energy of character, or that he would become one of the most extensive farmers in a community occupying one of richest sections of the Prairie State. He is now the proprietor of 440 acres, all improved and enclosed with neat and substantial fencing, a good set of farm buildings, and a fine grove which forms a most attractive feature of the property. He has planted mile upon mile of hedge and his broad pasture lands and cornfields are a constant delight to the eye from spring until late in the autumn.

Mr. Watson is a native of the Buckeye State, and was born near the city of Chillicothe, Sept. 19, 1837. His native town, as may be supposed, was then little more than a hamlet. His father, William N. Watson, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, grew to manhood and was married in his native county, and in 1832 emigrated to America, settling near Pittsburgh, Pa. Shortly afterward, however, he removed to Gallia county, Ohio, and thence to Chillicothe. He purchased land four miles from the city, settling upon it in 1838, and clesaring the timber, made it his home for twelve years. He subsequently disposed of this property and two miles further from the city purchased a farm which he still occupies, and although arrived at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, is in the enjoyment of good health and preserves his old habits of industry. He married Miss Ellen Patrick, a native of his own county in Ireland, who accompanied him to the United States and remained his faithful companion until the close of her life, in 1885. Their nine children grew to become men and women, and were named, Samuel, William, Joseph, John, Nelson, James, Jane, Robert, and Ellen.

The first school which Mr. Watson attended was conducted in a log house, wherein the benches were made of slabs set upon wooden legs and placed around the sides of the building for writing-desks. Light was admitted after the primitive fashion of those days, through a square place cut in the logs. When not in school James assisted his father in clearing the farm and tilling the soil, and remained a member of the parental household until twenty-two years old. In 1861 he came to this county, in what is now Harwood Township, and farmed on rented land until 1868. During that year he purchased his present homestead. It had been partially improved, and its present condition has been brought about through his own enterprise and good judgment.

Our subject was married in 1865, to Miss Mary E. Huffman, a native of Harrison County, Ky., and the daughter of William H. and Rachel Minerva (King) Huffman, of Harrison county, Ky. Of this union there have been born two sons, William A. and John C., both residing at home with their parents. Mr. Watson is Democratic in politics, and keeps himself well posted upon all matters of general interest. Mrs. W. is a member of the Christian Church.