Jump to content

J. W. Watson Sr.: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Modrums (talk | contribs)
487 edits
mNo edit summary
m formatting, typo(s) fixed: 1911-1912 → 1911–1912
Line 24: Line 24:
| term_start5 = 1913
| term_start5 = 1913
| term_end5 = January 1, 1915
| term_end5 = January 1, 1915
| predecessor5 = [[S._Rodmond_Smith|Samuel Rodmond Smith]]
| predecessor5 = [[S.|Samuel Rodmond Smith]]
| successor5 = [[P._A._Henderson | P.A. Henderson]]
| successor5 = [[P.. |P.A. Henderson]]
| office4 = Florida House of Representatives Dade
| office4 = Florida House of Representatives Dade
| term_start4 = 1907
| term_start4 = 1907
Line 33: Line 33:
| term_start6 = January 1, 1917
| term_start6 = January 1, 1917
| term_end6 = January 1, 1919
| term_end6 = January 1, 1919
| predecessor6 = [[P._A._Henderson | P.A. Henderson]]
| predecessor6 = [[P.. |P.A. Henderson]]
| successor6 = [[William_Pruden_Smith | W.P. Smith]]
| successor6 = [[ W.P. Smith]]
| spouse = Emma Cora Chafer Watson
| spouse = Emma Cora Chafer Watson
| children = J.W. Watson Jr., Janet Watson Carson, Robert Osborne Watson
| children = J.W. Watson Jr., Janet Watson Carson, Robert Osborne Watson
Line 40: Line 40:
}}
}}


'''John W. Watson Sr.''' (October 31, 1859 - February 8, 1942) was an American politician who served in a number of elected positions throughout his career in Florida.<ref name="Orlando Sentinel 2003 h097">{{cite web | title=PIONEERING FATHER, SON WERE LEADERS, 1ST IN KISSIMMEE, THEN IN MIAMI | website=Orlando Sentinel | date=2003-08-03 | url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2003/08/03/pioneering-father-son-were-leaders-1st-in-kissimmee-then-in-miami-2/ | access-date=2023-09-21}}</ref>
'''John W. Watson Sr.''' (October 31, 1859 - February 8, 1942) was an American politician who served in a number of elected positions throughout his career in Florida.<ref name="Orlando Sentinel 2003 h097">{{cite web | title=PIONEERING FATHER, SON WERE LEADERS, 1ST IN KISSIMMEE, THEN IN MIAMI | website=Orlando Sentinel | date=2003-08-03 | url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2003/08/03/pioneering-father-son-were-leaders-1st-in-kissimmee-then-in-miami-2/ | access-date=2023-09-21}}</ref>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
Watson was born in North Carolina, moving to Florida in 1882. He studied at Raleigh Academy then traveled and worked various jobs. He eventually settled in Kissimmee Florida where he established a hardware business and became active in local and state politics. He expanded the business to Miami and eventually moved there, building the Watson Building downtown.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://miami-history.com/watson-building-in-downtown-miami/ | title=Watson Building in Downtown Miami | date=21 December 2016 }}</ref>
Watson was born in North Carolina, moving to Florida in 1882. He studied at Raleigh Academy then traveled and worked various jobs. He eventually settled in Kissimmee Florida where he established a hardware business and became active in local and state politics. He expanded the business to Miami and eventually moved there, building the Watson Building downtown.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://miami-history.com/watson-building-in-downtown-miami/ | title=Watson Building in Downtown Miami | date=21 December 2016 }}</ref>


Watson was elected as state representative for Miami. <ref>{{cite book |title=Miami City Directory |date=1920 |publisher=R.L. Polk & Co. |pages=62 |url=https://archive.org/details/rlpolkcompanysmi9192rlpo/page/62/mode/2up?view=theater}}</ref> He was later elected Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and a member of the State Senate<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridamemory.com/fmp/territorial-legislative/PeopleOfLawmaking.pdf|title= People of Lawmaking|last=Oliva|first=Jose|date=2019|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=16 Feb 2023}}</ref> and served as the City of Miami's 6th and 8th Mayor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/miamidadecountyf00blac/page/108|title=Miami and Dade County Florida; Its settlement progress and achievement|last=Blackman|first=E.V.|date=1921|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=16 Feb 2023}}</ref>
Watson was elected as state representative for Miami.<ref>{{cite book |title=Miami City Directory |date=1920 |publisher=R.L. Polk & Co. |pages=62 |url=https://archive.org/details/rlpolkcompanysmi9192rlpo/page/62/mode/2up?view=theater}}</ref> He was later elected Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and a member of the State Senate<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.floridamemory.com/fmp/territorial-legislative/PeopleOfLawmaking.pdf|title= People of Lawmaking|last=Oliva|first=Jose|date=2019|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=16 Feb 2023}}</ref> and served as the City of Miami's 6th and 8th Mayor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/miamidadecountyf00blac/page/108|title=Miami and Dade County Florida; Its settlement progress and achievement|last=Blackman|first=E.V.|date=1921|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=16 Feb 2023}}</ref>
He owned a grocery store, hardware company and grapefruit grove among his multiple business endeavors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://miami-history.com/watson-building-in-downtown-miami/|title=Watson Building in Downtown Miami|last=Piket|first=Casey|date=2016|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=19 Feb 2023}}</ref>
He owned a grocery store, hardware company and grapefruit grove among his multiple business endeavors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://miami-history.com/watson-building-in-downtown-miami/|title=Watson Building in Downtown Miami|last=Piket|first=Casey|date=2016|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=19 Feb 2023}}</ref>


Line 51: Line 51:
The Watson family is considered to be among Miami's first settlers as they arrived before the railroad to town was complete.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/miamidadecountyf00blac/page/108|title=Miami and Dade County Florida; Its settlement progress and achievement|last=Blackman|first=E.V.|date=1921|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=16 Feb 2023}}</ref>
The Watson family is considered to be among Miami's first settlers as they arrived before the railroad to town was complete.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/miamidadecountyf00blac/page/108|title=Miami and Dade County Florida; Its settlement progress and achievement|last=Blackman|first=E.V.|date=1921|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=16 Feb 2023}}</ref>


Watson testified before the House of Representatives' Committee on Indian Services regarding his first-hand knowledge of Seminole <i>Indian</i> culture and his distaste for the plans to drain the Everglades.<ref>{{cite web |title=Conditions of the Florida Seminoles hearings before the Committee on Investigation of the Indian Service, House of Representatives. |url=http://dpanther.fiu.edu/dpService/dpPurlService/purl/pu00120001/#dvFilePanel |website=Digital Panther archives |access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref>
Watson testified before the House of Representatives' Committee on Indian Services regarding his first-hand knowledge of Seminole Indian culture and his distaste for the plans to drain the Everglades.<ref>{{cite web |title=Conditions of the Florida Seminoles hearings before the Committee on Investigation of the Indian Service, House of Representatives. |url=http://dpanther.fiu.edu/dpService/dpPurlService/purl/pu00120001/#dvFilePanel |website=Digital Panther archives |access-date=21 September 2023}}</ref>


He ran for Florida Governor unsuccessfully in 1911-1912.
He ran for Florida Governor unsuccessfully in .


[[Watson_Island | Watson Island ]] is named after him. He is buried in the Miami City Cemetery.
[[Watson Island]] is named after him. He is buried in the Miami City Cemetery.


== Fraternal and civic affiliations==
== Fraternal and civic affiliations==
Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order, the [[Knights_of_Pythias | Knights of Pythias]], and the [[Benevolent_and_Protective_Order_of_Elks | Elks]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/miamidadecountyf00blac/page/108|title=Miami and Dade County Florida; Its settlement progress and achievement|last=Blackman|first=E.V.|date=1921|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=16 Feb 2023}}</ref>
Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order, the [[Knights of Pythias]], and the [[ Elks]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/miamidadecountyf00blac/page/108|title=Miami and Dade County Florida; Its settlement progress and achievement|last=Blackman|first=E.V.|date=1921|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=16 Feb 2023}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 81: Line 81:
* [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38717329/john-william-watson Findagrave]
* [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38717329/john-william-watson Findagrave]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Watson, J. W. Sr.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Watson, J. W. Sr.}}
[[Category:Mayors of Miami]]
[[Category:Mayors of Miami]]
[[Category:Speakers of the Florida House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Speakers of the Florida House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Members of the Florida House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Members of the Florida House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Knights_of_Pythias]]
[[Category:]]

[[Category:1859 births]]
[[Category:1859 births]]
[[Category:1942 deaths]]
[[Category:1942 deaths]]


{{Florida-mayor-stub}}
{{Florida-mayor-stub}}
{{Miami-stub}}
{{Miami-stub}}

Revision as of 12:44, 31 December 2023

John W. Watson Sr.
Florida State Senator - 13th District
In office
1925–1935
Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives
In office
1901–1901
Preceded byRobert McNamee
Succeeded byCromwell Gibbons
Florida's House of Representatives - Osceola
In office
1897–1905
Florida House of Representatives Dade
In office
1907–1919
6th Mayor of Miami
In office
1913 – January 1, 1915
Preceded bySamuel Rodmond Smith
Succeeded byP.A. Henderson
8th Mayor of Miami
In office
January 1, 1917 – January 1, 1919
Preceded byP.A. Henderson
Succeeded byW.P. Smith
Personal details
BornOct 31, 1859
North Carolina, US
DiedFeb 8, 1942
Miami, Florida, US
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseEmma Cora Chafer Watson
ChildrenJ.W. Watson Jr., Janet Watson Carson, Robert Osborne Watson
ProfessionMerchant

John W. Watson Sr. (October 31, 1859 - February 8, 1942) was an American politician who served in a number of elected positions throughout his career in Florida.[1]

Biography

Watson was born in North Carolina, moving to Florida in 1882. He studied at Raleigh Academy then traveled and worked various jobs. He eventually settled in Kissimmee Florida where he established a hardware business and became active in local and state politics. He expanded the business to Miami and eventually moved there, building the Watson Building downtown.[2]

Watson was elected as state representative for Miami.[3] He was later elected Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and a member of the State Senate[4] and served as the City of Miami's 6th and 8th Mayor.[5] He owned a grocery store, hardware company and grapefruit grove among his multiple business endeavors.[6]

He built several buildings in Miami which became important to the city's growth and long-term development.[7] The Watson family is considered to be among Miami's first settlers as they arrived before the railroad to town was complete.[8]

Watson testified before the House of Representatives' Committee on Indian Services regarding his first-hand knowledge of Seminole Indian culture and his distaste for the plans to drain the Everglades.[9]

He ran for Florida Governor unsuccessfully in 1911–1912.

Watson Island is named after him. He is buried in the Miami City Cemetery.

Fraternal and civic affiliations

Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, and the Elks.[10]

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ "PIONEERING FATHER, SON WERE LEADERS, 1ST IN KISSIMMEE, THEN IN MIAMI". Orlando Sentinel. 2003-08-03. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  2. ^ "Watson Building in Downtown Miami". 21 December 2016.
  3. ^ Miami City Directory. R.L. Polk & Co. 1920. p. 62.
  4. ^ Oliva, Jose (2019). "People of Lawmaking" (PDF). Retrieved 16 Feb 2023.
  5. ^ Blackman, E.V. (1921). "Miami and Dade County Florida; Its settlement progress and achievement". Retrieved 16 Feb 2023.
  6. ^ Piket, Casey (2016). "Watson Building in Downtown Miami". Retrieved 19 Feb 2023.
  7. ^ Piket, Casey (2016). "Watson Building in Downtown Miami". Retrieved 19 Feb 2023.
  8. ^ Blackman, E.V. (1921). "Miami and Dade County Florida; Its settlement progress and achievement". Retrieved 16 Feb 2023.
  9. ^ "Conditions of the Florida Seminoles hearings before the Committee on Investigation of the Indian Service, House of Representatives". Digital Panther archives. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  10. ^ Blackman, E.V. (1921). "Miami and Dade County Florida; Its settlement progress and achievement". Retrieved 16 Feb 2023.
Bibliography
  • Hon. John W. Watson. Miami Herald, vol. 2, no. 110, 19 Mar. 1912, p. Page Three.
  • John W. Watson, Nominated Mayor I First Primary - Miami Herald, July 23, 1913, Page One.


Flag of FloridaPolitician icon

This article about a mayor in Florida is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This article related to Miami is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=J._W._Watson_Sr.&oldid=1192810373"