6. | James Thomas Watson was born on 27 Feb 1871 in Cannel City Morgan County, Kentucky; died on 25 Jul 1931 in Ashmore, Coles County, Illinois; was buried in Ashmore Cemetery, Ashmore, Illinios. Notes:
Source: Lula Frances,(Watson) Waltrip, Eula Ethel (Watson) Hutson, Malvia Joanne (Watson) Finney, John & Linda (Hendrix) Watson, Book 3 Page 152 Marriage Registers Coles Co. Birth Registers & Certificates, Coles Co. Charleston Illinois.
Compiler: Thomas C. Watson 2/28/81
James Thomas Watson, or Tom as he was known to everyone, was married twice. The first marriage was to Anna Frisby on February 27, 1900 in Morgan County Kentucky. Tom worked as a laborer in a tobacco factory in Kenton County, Kentucky. Tom divorced Anna on December 2, 1901. There were no known children by this marriage.
Tom's second marriage was to Addie Ellen Bryant November 23,1906 in Charleston, Coles County, Illinois.
Tom and Addie were the parents of eleven children. Their life together was hard and a tremendous struggle to raise such a large family. Tom and Addie both lived in Coles County prior to their meeting. Toms uncle, James Ratliff, lived in Coles County for many years. Tom and his brother Elsic set out for Coles County to be near friends and relatives. Tom and Addie were both working for George Van Horn, Addies brother-in-law, on his farm near the Oakland area. That was where they met and fell in love.
Tom moved his family from place to place wherever work was available. At various times they lived in Ashmore, Ashmore Township, Lerna, Seven Hickory Township and Pleasant Grove Township. Between 1908-11 they lived for a short time in Kansas City, Kansas where Ethel was born. Addie disliked Kansas very much the weather was extremely hot with occasional dust storms.
Around 1914 they lived in a tenant house on Clarence Popham's farm near Indian Creek in Pleasant Grove Township. Tom worked for Popham as a farm hand. This house caught fire and burned destroying all their possessions. The family had no insurance and the loss was devastating to them. The Popham and neighbors bought clothes and helped furnish another house for them. Tom was never able to get ahead after the fire. His brother Elsic helped them to make ends meet.
In 1917 a tornado struck Coles County and killed many residents of Mattoon and Charleston. The family lived north of Charleston. The tornado took down the garage, several sheds and trees. Several chickens were plucked clean of their feathers but otherwise unhurt. Tom went to town and used his wagon to haul dead to a temporary morgue.
Tom worked as a farm hand, raised hogs and always had a huge garden. During winter months he was the community butcher. He became known for his large truck gardens especially his watermelons. He is credited with developing two varieties of melons. he developed the Charleston Gray and the Tom Watson watermelons. Occasionally the seeds are still to be found in garden centers.
Tom died at the age of 60 from a strangulated hernia and is buried at the Ashmore Cemetery, Ashmore Illinois.
James married Addie Ellen Bryant on 23 Nov 1906 in Charleston, Coles County, Illinois. Addie (daughter of Joshua Bryant and Nancy Ann Rose) was born on 8 Aug 1890 in Morgan County, Kentucky; died on 10 Jan 1973 in Rardin, Coles County, Illinois; was buried on 12 Jan 1973 in Greasy Point (Union) Cemetery Coles County, Illinios. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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