JAMES & WILLIAM WATSON

James M. Watson came West from Ohio and resided for many years in Henry and Madison counties, Iowa, prior to his location in Washington township, in 1854. At that time he bought a claim of George Reeves, and commenced to deal quite extensively in Cass county lands. He had resided here less than two years, when he was accidentally killed. One afternoon in January, 1856, he was chasing a wolf, and when near Spring creek his horse threw him, fracturing his skull. It is not known whether he was killed outright by the injury, or perished by the cold after having been rendered unconscious.

William M. Watson, brother of the above, located in 1856, being accompanied by his widowed mother, his sister Abigail and her husband, E. B. Bell.


From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 203.