John J. Watson
John J. Watson, one of the substantial and leading citizens of Amsterdam, Ohio, an attorney at law, with a practice that covers the town and environs, is a property owner both in the village and county. He was born in Athens, N. Y., December 19, 1852, and is a son of Rev. John and Eliza (Buchannan) Watson.
Mr. Watson was brought to Jefferson County in childhood by his parents who afforded him excellent educational advantages. He attended school at Harlem Springs and Mt. Union and later took a collegiate course at Harlem Springs College. He then spent some time as a school teacher, in Jefferson, Carroll and Stark Counties, and afterward read law in the office of James Dayton, in 1876 being admitted to the Ohio bar. He practiced law at Steubenville for about one year, at Carrolton, for two years, and at Bergholz for thirteen years. An earnest and convincing speaker, and a sound and logical reasoner, he never failed to impress his hearers' and gained quite a reputation for eloquence. On April 12, 1909, he came to Amsterdam, purchasing a lot and comfortable and attractive two-story residence. He owns one farm of 110 acres situated one mile south of Amsterdam and a second farm of 122 acres, situated in Springfield Township, within two miles of Bergholz. These farms are in charge of capable tenants. Mr. Watson makes a specialty of collections and is the accredited agent of all the agencies in this section.
On November 7, 1882, Mr. Watson was married to Miss Annie J. Wallace, who is a daughter of Isaac and Matilda (Kane) Wallace. Thev have no children. They are memhers of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Watson is identified with the Democratic party but takes no very active part in public matters. He was at one time his party's candidate for prosecuting attorney and again in 1906 for probate judge, on both occasions receiving a liberal vote, although the county is strongly Republican.
20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910