EDWARD WATSON

Edward Watson The philosophy of success in life is an interesting study, and affords a lesson from which many can profit. In choosing a pursuit in life, taste, mental gifts, opportunity and disposition to labor should be considered, as any young man who has a disposition to become a respectable and useful citizen desires to succeed in his work. On the 3d of July, 1857, a boy was born in Medina County, Ohio, who grew up to sturdy manhood, ambitious to excel and possessing much energy and determination, attributes which are essential to success in any calling. The boy was Edward Watson, his parents being Edward G. and Rebecca (Register) Watson. (See sketch of Thomas W. Watson).

Edward received a good general education in the common schools of Ohio, and for dome time attended a select school under one of the graduates of Oberlin College. When sixteen years of age he branched out as a farm hand, having learned the details of farm life of his worthy father, and continued this for seven months, receiving as compensation $14 per month. During that time he lost but one day from the field. In the year 1873 he decided to settle in Michigan, and for six months after doing so he worked by the month, saving his wages and economizing in order to become the owner of land in the future. He first purchased twenty acres of land, covered with a heavy growth of timber, and this, after slightly improving, he sold to his father.

Four years after this young Watson worked in a lumber-mill, and in 1878 purchased forty acres adjoining his present property. Since that time he has added to the original tract seventy-two acres, making one hundred and twenty acres, and he has one hundred acres under cultivation. He has a fine residence, commodious and substantial out-buildings, barns, etc., and his place shows the care and energy of its thrifty owner. In connection with carrying on his extensive farming interests, Mr. Watson is also engaged in stock-raising, breeding a high grade of Durham cattle and Norman and Suffolk horses, the latter a new breed of horses brought over from England. Everything about his fine place shows that he is one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of the county, and as a citizen and neighbor no man is more highly esteemed.

On the 23d of October, 1878, he was married to Miss Lilla M. Comstock, a native of grand Haven, and daughter of William and Emily (Hildreth) Comstock, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Vermont. She was the youngest of four children, as follows: Carrie, now Mrs. Henry Jones, of Grand Rapids; Alice, of this county; and Wallace, also of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Comstock reside at Allendale, this county, where they have a pleasant home. Three children have been the fruits of our subject’s union: Ralph, Fred and Arthur. At present Mr. Watson is an active member of the township grange. He has never filled any political position, although he has held a number of minor offices in his township, for all his time is devoted to the management of his extensive farm and stock industry. In politicks, he is affiliated with the Democratic party.