My Genealogy Hound

HON. WILLIAM J. WATSON, a native of Scott County, Ky., was born August 5, 1834, and is the fifth of a family of thirteen children born to David L. and Nancy (Peck) Watson. David L. Watson was born in Harrison County in 1807, was a farmer by occupation, and a son of Patrick Watson. He settled in Owen County in 1847, and was the father of thirteen children, ten of whom are still living. He died in 1884, having survived his wife sixteen years. Patrick Watson was a Virginian, and settled in Kentucky in the pioneer days of the State. He was a farmer, and fought in the war of 1812. Orville Peck, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of Virginia, and among the early settlers of Kentucky. William J. Watson settled in Owen County in 1847. In 1859 he abandoned farming for the milling business, but now owns a fine farm of 320 acres, which he devotes to general farming. In 1880 he was elected sheriff of Owen County, and in 1885 was elected State representative of Owen County on the Democratic ticket. He was an ardent advocate of temperance measures passed during his services in the latter capacity. In 1857 he married Miss Louisiana Perry, of Woodford County, Ky., and three children have blessed their union: Benjamin F., Annie F. and William P. Mr. Watson is a Mason, and, with his family, a member of the Christian Church.