Dr. Walter Watson was born on the 14th of May, 1851, in Mt. Vernon, Ill., and is the oldest of three children born to Joel F. and Sarah M. (Taylor) Watson.

He was educated in the High Schools of Mt. Vernon, supplemented by a four years' course in the McKendree College, Lebanon, Ill., graduating from that institution with honors in June, 1872.

Returning home, he immediatly began reading medicine in the office of Dr. W. Duff Green, of Mt. Vernon, Ill., and in September of the same year entered Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and graduated from that institution with a dgree of M.D. in March, 1875. At this time he was successful in winning a prize of $50, which was offered for the one most successful in the examination in opthamology. After this examination he entered a competitive examination for the position of resident physician of the Good samaritan Hospital of Cincinnati. Being successful, he entered the position and continued the same for one year. In 1876, he was elected to fill the chair of Demonstrator of Anatomy in the college where he graduated.

In 1877, on account of the failing health of his father and the importance of being with him to attend to his business, he resigned his position and returned home to Mt. Vernon, where he has since remained engaged in the practice of his profession.

During 1877-78, he was practicing in partnership with Dr. Green, but since that time has been in practice by himself.

He was married in September, 1880, to Miss Nettie Margaret Johnson, of Champaigne, Ill., and a daughter of George W. and Margaret G. (Lawder) Johnson. This union has been blessed with one child Margaret.

Dr. Watson is a Democrat in politics, a member of the A. F. & A. M. and K. of H., and is State Medical Examiner for the latter.

Source: History of Jefferson County Illinois
By: William Henry Perrin, 1883
Submitted by Cindy Ford