1077 years ago…This obit for John Pendleton Watson, Jr. (1849-1917) appeared on the first page of the “Douglas County Sentinel” published on Friday, February 2, 1917. He was the son of Samuel H. Watson, Jr. and grew up at Dark Corner where his father was appointed postmaster in 1840 and by 1853 was a justice of the peace. He was named for his uncle John Pendleton Watson, Sr. (1809-1889) who was in Campbell County by 1836. I’ve transcribed the full obit below.
From the obit…”When news reached Douglasville Saturday morning (February 27) that Mr. John Pendleton Watson had died suddenly at his home in Adairsville, it cast a shadow of gloom over the entire community.
Mr. Watson had spent most of his life here and no man was better known throughout the county. For many years he was one of the leading merchants in Douglasville, and besides holding other positions of honor and responsibility, at one time represented this county in the state legislature. <served 1886-1887>
At the time of his death, he was a traveling salesman <census data shows he was a tobacco salesman> and made this town frequently and was here on Wednesday before his death.
Mr. Watson was 64 years old and had been married twice. His first wife was Miss Savanah Stewart, sister of Dr. FM and ER Stewart of this place. Three children from this union survive him, one son, JM of Dallas, Texas; Mrs. Lucile Moss of Nichols, Florida; and Miss Annie May Watson of Adairsville.
His second wife was Miss Reecie Stewart of Adairsville, who, with one son, survive him. He also leaves three brothers; J.A. of Lithia Springs, I.M. of Atlanta, and M.B. of Douglasville, and one sister, Miss Sallie Watson of Douglasville.
His remains were brough to Douglasville Monday evening and the funeral conducted Tuesday in the chapel of the Douglasville College, where an immense crowd gathered to the last tribute of respect. The services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Maxwell, of Adairsville, his pastor, assisted by Rev. J.C. Atkinson. <the Douglasville College, a school serving grades 1-11 sat approximate where the fire station/armory sits today on Church Street>
He was a consistent member of the Methodist church and of the Masonic Lodge, which fraternity performed the last sad rites when his remains were interred in Douglasville cemetery. <Find-A-Grave does not show his grave and the notes of Joe Baggett indicate a marker is missing>
He was a good citizen and will be greatly missed, not only in his home community but here, where he had spent most of his life.”
Via: Douglas County Sentinel – February 2, 1917
