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ALBERT WATSON, State's Attorney of Jefferson County, and one of the leading members at the Bar of southern Illinois, now makes his home in Mt. Vernon, his native city. He was born within a block of the Court House Square April 15, 1857, and comes of a family of English origin. His great-grandfather, John Watson, was born on the Isle of Man, and in company with a brother emigrated to America, locating in Virginia in his early manhood. There the grandfather, Dr. John W. Watson, was born January 10, 1777. He removed with his family to Kentucky, and about 1821 came to Illinois, locating three-quarters of a mile north of Mt. Vernon, where he improved a farm, as well as continuing the practice of the medical profession. He was a man much in advance of the average pioneer a man of fine education and broad views, and by reason of his ability he was recognized as a leader in the community. He possessed great force of character, was respected by all who knew him, and was a most successful physician. He married Frances Pace, sister of Joel and Joseph Pace, twin brothers, who were among the very early pioneers of Jefferson County, and who were members of the extensive Pace family in Illinois. Joel Pace was a man of good business ability, and served as one of the first Circuit and County Clerks of Jefferson County. He was for many years a leading merchant, while his twin brother devoted his life to the more quiet pursuits of an agriculturist. Both accumulated a considerable fortune and attained to an advanced age, the latter dying at the age of eighty-three. They were sons of Joel Pace, Sr., a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and the family traces its ancestry in America back two hundred years, and there arc records in England of four hundred years ago. One of the family was a Member of Parliament and a General in the British army. Joseph Pace, a brother of Mrs. Watson, was a soldier of the War of 1812, and was a prominent figure in the early settlement of Jefferson County. He served as Probate Judge and filled other important positions. From the earliest days of the settlement of the Watson and Pace families in Jefferson County, their representatives have been prominent in the affairs of the community. Dr. Watson died here June 3, 1845. Joel F. Watson, father of our subject, became partially paralyzed in early life, and this led to his being educated for a teacher in the Mt. Vernon Academy, a school of note in that day. When his studies were completed he became an assistant teacher in the institution, and later taught country schools. In 1842 he was elected County Clerk, which position he held for sixteen years, a fact which indicates his fidelity to duty. In 1842 he also began merchandising with his father-in-law, and continued that business until 1877, when he retired from active life. He also served as Master in Chancery for two years. He has accumulated a handsome property and still supervises his interests.He married Sarah M. Taylor, daughter of the Rev. W. H. Taylor (who for more than fifty years was a Methodist minister) and a sister of Hon. A. F. Taylor, the present Mayor of Mt. Vernon. She died in March, 1851, and Mr. Watson afterward married Mrs. Sarah E. Pace, a widow of Salem. Walter, the eldest son, is a prominent physician of Mt. Vernon and a leading politician. He is serving as a member of the Illinois Democratic State Central Committee. Howard, the second son, is a merchant of St. Louis. Albert Watson is the youngest of the brothers. He acquired his education in the public and high schools of Mt. Vernon, and was graduated from McKendree College in June, 1876. He then taught a country school for two years, and in March, 1878, became a student in the law office of C. H. Patton, being admitted to the Bar in 1880. He then formed a partnership with his preceptor, which was continued until 1884, since which time he has been alone in practice. In 1881 he was elected City Attorney, but after six months resigned. In May, 1890, he was appointed Master in Chancery for Jefferson County, which office he held for two years, and in the fall of 1892 was elected State's Attorney, a position he is holding at the present time. Mr. Watson is recognized as one of the most prominent attorneys of this part of the state, and has already won a reputation which might well be envied by many an older practitioner. On the 12th of August, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Mary E. Way, daughter of a former grain merchant of Mt. Vernon, who died in Alabama in 1883. Her brother, Rev. Warren Wade Way, is a minister in the Protestant Episcopal Church, and her brother Frank is storekeeper for the Air Line Railroad, with headquarters at Princeton, Ind. Her sister, Winnefred, is a student in St. Agatha College, Springfield, ILL. Mrs. Watson is a graduate of St. Mary's College of South Bend, Ind. She now has four children:
Marena, born July 10, 1881; Mr. Watson is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias, is Past Chancellor of Jefferson Lodge No. 121, and is its present representative to the Grand Lodge. Like most of his branch of the family, he is a Democrat in politics. On both sides he comes from leading and influential families, and their honorable record has been undimmed by him.
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton,
Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer