Untitled Document

CAPTAIN WATSON, VETERAN, AGE 99, DIES AT OQUAWKA (special to the Argus)

Oquawka, Ill., Nov. 25.--Captain HENRY WATSON, who was 99 years old, a Civil war veteran and the oldest resident of Henderson county, died at noon yesterday in the home of his daughter, Mrs. JAMES CARNES , after a brief illiness. His health and mind were good for one of his age. When he celebrated his 99th birthday last July, he expressed the wish that he could live to be 100 years old. His friends enjoyed visiting him, since he had interesting stories of the earlier days and the changes which have happened in his lifetime. He knew the history of all the old landmarks in and around Oquawka. He helped saw the lumber for the old covered bridge at Jack's mill, near Oquawka. Captain WATSON was born July 18, 1834 , at Troy , N.Y. , He came with his parents to Oquawka when he was 10 years old, and resided here since. His wife died 29 years ago. They had lived in the house now owned by T.B.WILSON, . They had five children born there, only 2 of whom survive. He was one of the first to enlist during the Civil War, serving in Company F. 16th Illinois infantry, being promoted to the rank of captain after his captain was killed. He was wounded in the last battle of the war, and was the proud possessor of the flag which he carried through the war in his knapsack. That flag was made by the wives of the men in his company who lived in this county and sent to them. He was a Republican; never voted any other place than Oquawka, and voted the first time for Fremont for president. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. DAISY CARNES, with whom he lived in the Bald Bluff neighborhood, and Mrs. SALOME McLAIN of Winner, S.D. (Mrs. McLain visited her father last summer.); a niece, Mrs. C.J.EADS of Oquawka. Captain Watson was also a great-uncle of Mrs. JOHN PETERSON , of Oquawka, and of the children of Mrs. EADS and husband, WEBSTER of Oquawka, JOHN of Galesburg and Mrs. FLOYD MURRAY of Burlington . Funeral services in the Lugg funeral home in Monmouth; burial in the Oquawka cemetery. Source: The Rock Island Argus, Nov.25, 1933

Submitted by: Peggy Carey

Illinois Ancestors