Thomas Watson, Jr.

 

Thomas WATSON, Jr.,  was born in County Wicklow, Ireland on March 4, 1826. He was the son of Thomas Watson, Sr., and Elizabeth Leviston/Livingston.

Thomas Watson, Jr. first married Margaret NELSON, in 1846/47.  Soon afterward they emigrated to the United States landing at the Port of New Orleans, Louisiana. They remained in New Orleans until 1851. Subsequently, they moved to Wisconsin, USA settling in Clifton, Grant County, Wisconsin.

Mr. Watson followed the mining trade with Hugh, Charles, and John Livingston, and later Thomas served as an agent collecting mineral rents. He later bought a house in Livingston, Wisconsin where he farmed.

Thomas and Margaret had eight children.

His wife, Margaret died in 1873.

The following year he married Martha Livingston who was born in County Wicklow, Ireland. They had two children, Martha "Mattie" A. Watson, and Charles C. Watson.

During the U.S. Civil, War Thomas served in Company "T," 47th Regiment of the Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers.

Mr. Watson was elected Justice of the Peace of Grant County, Wisconsin. He performed more than 200 marriages in that capacity during the 42 years he served in that office.

Some of Thomas's siblings who lived nearby him in Wisconsin were: Charles, Robert, and two sisters.

Thomas was described as being "hospitable and kind" and "of a genial good nature."

He passed away at his home in Livingston, Wisconsin on September 25, 1895, and was buried in the Old Rock Church Cemetery in Grant County, Wisconsin.

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Sources: 

"Obituary-Thomas Watson," Grant County Witness, Platteville, Wisconsin [USA], 2 Oct 1895, p. 4

"Thomas Watson," Lancaster Teller, Lancaster, Wisconsin, [USA], 3 Oct 1895, p. 4

1880 US Census, Grant County, Wisconsin

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Note: This is not my ancestor--JS