D. O. WATSON D.O.Watson. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch belongs to the noble army of self-made men who have fought the battle of life bravely. He is not only well-to-do financially, but occupies an enviable position in the estimation of all who have the honor of his acquaintance. As the United States Collector of Customs for the district of Michigan, with headquarters at Grand Haven, he is the incumbent of a position for which he is admirably adapted. He was born in St. Lawrence County, N.Y., April 10, 1859, and is the son of William G. and Betsey J. ( Rushton) Watson, natives of the Empire State. In 1867 the parents of our subject took up their abode in Michigan at Coopersville, Ottawa County, where the father invested some of his means in a stock of merchandise, and until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1888, he conducted a successful and remunerative business. His widow survived him only one year, her death occurring in 1889. The principal characteristics of Mr. Watson were extreme kind-heartedness and strict commercial integrity. In Coopersville, where he spent his best days, he enjoyed the confidence, unqualified respect and steadfast friendship of the many to whom his virtues, his integrity and his high-minded, honorable manliness commended him. D. O. Watson, is the second member of a family consisting of three sons and one daughter. His early instruction was such as the public schools of Coopersville afforded, but he afterwards finished his literary education ay Lansing, Mich., pursuing his studies there for three years with great industry. He thus acquired an excellent education. He was a young man who read and thought, studied and applied, and upon his return to Coopersville he put his knowledge to good use in his father’s store. After the death of his father he succeeded to the business, buying out the interest of the other heirs, since which time he has been so intimately connected with the mercantile industries of the town, so thoroughly alive to the necessities of building up a reliable house, complete in all its departments, that he has become an integral part of the mercantile life of this section. Pre-eminently a man of affairs, the thorough business methods of Mr. Watson made him a suitable person for the responsible position of Collector of Customs of Michigan, to which position he was appointed by Grover Cleveland in 1885. He filled the office until March 2, 1889, when he retired on account of the change of administration. On the 2d of April, 1893, he was again appointed to the position by President Cleveland, assuming the duties of the office April 26, 1893, and since that time has made his headquarters at Grand Haven. He has taken an active part in local and State politics and for the past four years has been Chairman of the Ottawa County Democratic Committee. He has also been Chairman of the Fifth Congressional District Committee, and has often been delegate to Congressional, State and other conventions. In 1880 Mr. Watson wooed and won for his wife Miss Winnie Walsh, of Spring Lake, Ottawa County, Mich., a daughter of Martin Walsh, a successful merchant and an extensive fruit-grower. This union has resulted in the birth of two interesting children, Melvin A. and Margaret E. During the hot summer months Mr. Watson and his family retire to their comfortable cottage on the banks of Spring Lake, where they enjoy the freedom of out-door life. In looking over the events of Mr. Wilson’s life one cannot help dwelling upon its fair record, and around his name and reputation cluster all the manly virtues, truth, candor and benevolence. He is a model husband and father, kind and generous in his family, and as a citizen and friend it is a privilege to know and a pleasure to honor him.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company 

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 16 May 2003
URL: Biographies