My Genealogy Hound

JOHN B. WATSON, farmer, Graves County, was born September 23, 1834, in Davidson County, Tenn., and is the eldest of eight children born to William and Mary (Pierce) Watson, also natives of Tennessee. William Watson, father of our subject, was the son of William and Lucy Ann (Phipps) Watson. John B. came to this county with his parents in 1842, remained on the home farm until eighteen years of age, and then began farming on his own account. November 24, 1852, he married Sarah Jane Pryor, of Graves County, and daughter of Blanton and Catherine (Clapps) Pryor, natives of Alabama and of Dutch descent. To this union were born eight, children: William R. (deceased), John F. (deceased), Thomas H., Francis L. and Mary A. (both deceased), Eudora C. (now Mrs. Spess), a seventh child deceased, and James L. Two years after his marriage Mr. Watson removed to Mississippi County, Mo., where he resided eleven years. In 1867 he located on his present farm of eighty acres in Graves County. Mrs. Watson died in December, 1865, aged thirty-three years, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In April, 1868, Mr. Watson married Mary Jane Suit, of Missouri, a native of Graves County, Ky., and daughter of Bartlett and Alcy (Nanney) Suit, natives of Tennessee. To this marriage have also been born eight children: Eolian May, Altha M., Lena O., Alcy M., Isaac G., Bertha E., Iva M. and an eighth child, deceased. Mr.Watson has served as justice of the peace, and is a much esteemed citizen.