My Genealogy Hound

James A. Watson, whose name is synonymous with the best farming interests of Washington County, Ark., is a son of John and Martha (Martin) Watson, both natives of Ireland, he born in 1778, and she in 1779. They came to America on the same vessel, when only twelve years of age. He was reared in South Carolina and she in North Carolina, both close to the line. Grandfather Watson was killed in the Revolutionary War, and Grandfather Martin also served in the same war, both on the side of the Colonists. The parents of the subject of this sketch were married in 1800, and settled in Roane County, Tenn., where they lie buried. He served in Gen. Carroll’s brigade during the War of 1812, and both he and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. In their family were ten children, four sons and six daughters. He was a Democrat in politics, and died in 1834, and she in 1862. James A. Watson was born October 30, 1820, in Roane County, Tenn.; worked on the farm, and although he received very little schooling learned to read and write by his own exertions. Like a dutiful son he remained with his mother until twenty-four years of age; when he went to Calhoun County, Ala., here worked in a tan-yard, and also clerked in a store. In 1846 he enlisted in Company I, First Alabama Regiment, commanded by Col. John R. Coffey, and served twelve months. In 1848 he returned to Alabama, and entered a tan-yard. In 1851 he married Miss Jane C. Brooks, a native of Bedford County, Tenn., and a school-teacher by occupation. In 1853 they moved to Madison County, Ark., and here engaged in merchandising for six years. In 1859 they moved to Washington County, where he now has a fine farm of 200 acres, 120 under cultivation. To Mr. and Mrs. Watson were born five children: Charles A., principal of a school at Harrison, Ark.; Sarah M., deceased; John J., a miner of Australia; William B., at home, and Kate, wife of Geo. P. Eidson. Mr. Watson is a Democrat in politics, has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for forty-four years, and Mrs. Watson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.