Iowa, October 7, 1844, and with bis parents crossed the plains in 1853 and
came to Oregon. They spent their first winter in Lane county, and in the
spring of 1854 they moved to Douglas county and took up a ranch in the
fertile valley of the Umpqua. The subject of our sketch helped his father
on the farm during the summer months and attended the district school in
winter. In 1861 he entered the Umpqua Academy and continued his studies
there at intervals until I860, when lie went to Forest Grove and entered as
a student in the Pacific University, which is second to none in the State for
thoroughness and general excellence. Mr. Watson graduated in the class of
'66, and at once returned to Douglas county and commenced reading law
under Hon. J. F. Watson, who at that time was a young attorney in Eose-
burg. He was admitted to the bar in 1868, and in October of the same year
went to Jacksonville and opened an office with Hon. B. F. Dowell, with whom
he remained until June, 1871, when he formed a partnership with Hon. C. W.
Kahler. In 1872 he was elected County Judge for Jackson courjty and
served for four years. In June, 1878, he was elected County Clerk of J ack-
son county, and in 1880 he was placed in nomination by the Republican
State Convention as one of its candidates for Supreme Judge. Although
well and favorably known in Ids own county, the name was not familiar to the
people generally. On the judgment, however, of the convention that had
placed him in nomination and on the reputation accorded him by well-
known citizens of Jackson county, and his extreme popularity in Southern
Oregon, where he was best known, he was elected by a handsome majority
over an opposing candidate, who was undoubtedly the strongest man the
Democracy could have placed in the field against him. Tlie first two years
of his term he sat as an Associate Justice, but the rule of rotation made him
at the commencement of the October term of 1882, Chief Justice^ and be it
said to his credit, he is filling his position and discharging its duties in a
manner highly creditable to himself and every way satisfactory to the bench
and bar beneath him. As a jurist he has displayed marked ability. His de-
cisions are carefully prepared, thoroughly revised, and when presented bear
upon their face the impress of a thorough and complete knowledge of the
law, an earnest, conscientious research of authorities, and a ready command
of language of sufficient simplicity to enable those outside even of the pro-
fession to understand the case and grasp with readiness the theories ad-
vanced and the position taken. He is an untiring worker and his vacations
are frequently spent in laborious study and research. Aided and abetted
by his able associates. Judges Lord and Waldo, the decisions of the present
Supreme Court are considered substantial bulwarks of law and doctrine,
and are extensively quoted in the higher courts of other States. Judge
Watson has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary E. Owen, of
Jackson county, to whom he was united July 11, 1872. She died February
9, 1875, and on May 28, 1879, Judge Watson married his present wife, nee
Miss Ella C. Kubli, of Jacksonville, their family consisting of two chil-
dren, a boy and a girl. The Judge is a member of the A. F. and A. M.,
Improved Order of Red Men and the A. O. U. W. Judge Watson is des-
tined to many long years of usefulness, and the people will not fail to take
advantage of his abilities in the future as they have in the past.
