The Grinnell (IA) Herald; March 12, 1912

ALEXANDER WATSON

Alexander Watson was born at Bangor, County Down, Ireland, Jan. 16, 1846, and departed this life March 6, 1912, aged 66 years, 1 month and 20 days.

He was the seventh of a family of eleven children. He came to America in 1864 to New York state and worked there for twenty-four consecutive years for one family. In 1873 he was united in marriage with Susan Moore. For 39 years they have journeyed together. There was one daughter, Nellie, born to this union.

In 1888 Mr. Watson came with his family to Iowa and settled on the place occupied at the time of his death. He was a brother of Samuel Watson and a sister of Mrs. Thomas Nelson who have made their home in this community for many years.

Mr. Watson had been a sufferer for more than six years. He was affilicted with a complication of diseases and at times the suffering was intense. At the time of the funeral his wife is sick with pneumonia and is in a critical condition. She with their daughter, Nellie Gregson, and her family, a brother and sister and their families, and many other relatives and friends remain to mourn his loss.

Mr. Watson joined the Presbyterian church in Ireland. Then he was a member of the Lutheran church in New York. On coming to Iowa he joined the United Presbyterian church of Ewart where he was a member till the time of his death.

Mr. Watson was a quiet, industrious citizen. His friendly manner, his quaint humor and his fidelity had won him a very large circle of loyal friends. He will be greatly missed in the community. The heartfelt sympathy of all their friends is extended to the bereaved family in the hour of their sore trial and especially to the wife who was too ill to bear the message of her husband's death.

Funeral services were held at the United Presbyterian church of Ewart, Iowa, on Friday, March 8, at 2 o'clock, and were conducted by his pastor, Rev. S.M. Hood, assisted by Rev. W.W. Woodburn, of Grinnell. The attendance was very large. The remains were laid to rest in the Clover Hill cemetery.