Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN R. WATSON
J.
R. WATSON, deceased, was one of the early settlers of the Pacific Coast and an
honored citizen of Sacramento, and a native of England. He was born in London,
February 12, 1821. During his boyhood he attended school, and upon reaching
early manhood came to the United States in 1840. After reaching New York he
went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he remained nine years. He came to
the Pacific Coast in 1850. After spending a short time in San Francisco he went
up to Placer County and engaged in mining. He next went to Folsom where he
remained for a time, and afterward engaged in railroading. He was connected
with the construction of the Central Pacific, and was on the first train that
ran over the line. He was conductor on the road and train dispatcher, and for
many years was purchasing agent. He was prominently identified with the
establishment of the Railroad Hospital--one of the first established in the
country. He was superintendent of the hospital, and was actively interested in
its efficiency during his life. He was connected with the railroad for
twenty-two years, and resigned January, 1886. He was elected president of the
Gas Company and was actively identified with its management for many years. In
1860 he was elected representative to the State Legislature. In June, 1877, Mr.
Watson was united in marriage to Miss Martha M. Gardner. She is a native of
Massachusetts and received her education in New England and came to California
in 1869. Mr. Watson’s death occurred September 11, 1889, and in his death the
city and State lost one of its most estimable and honored citizens. Mrs. Watson
occupies their attractive home, corner of Eighth and D streets.
Transcribed by Vicky
Walker, 12/07/07.
Source: Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated
History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 784-785.
Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007 Vicky Walker.