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Submitted: 9/19/12 • Approved: 12/12/12 • Last Updated: 12/15/12 • R757914-G0-S3
Attorney, State Representative, State Senator
1848 - Aug 20 1930
*Obituary
Benton County Record & Democrat & Sun
Thursday, August 21, 1930
WATSON, Edmund Penn - Col E P Watson, widely known Northwest Arkansas attorney, died at the family home on West Twelfth Street, Bentonville, at one o'clock Wednesday afternoon, August 20th. He had been critically ill for the past two months. Had he lived until the last day of the month he would have been 82 years of age. Funeral services will be held from the First Presbyterian Church Friday morning at ten o'clock, the pastor. the Rev. A.W. Henderson, conducting the services. Burial will be made in the City Cemetery. Edmund Penn Watson was born in Van Buren, Ark and was the son of W A and Christian Crews Watson, who emigrated from Lynchburg, Virginia to Van Buren in 1848. His mother grew to womanhood on the present site of Sweetbriar College, Sweetbriar, Virginia. The Watson family moved to Fayetteville in his boyhood days where Mr Watson received his education and studied law. The family became prominent in Washington County affairs and his sister, Mrs Clementine Boles was one of Washington County's best known women, a leader in church and civic work. Col Watson first began the practice of law in Harrison but soon moved to Bentonville where he built up a large practice. He was a well-read man, a deep thinker and possessed a wonderful memory. He enjoyed the clientage of large corporations as well as of local people for 56 years. Col Watson was married in Bentonville December 11, 1873 to Miss Grace Dinsmore, the Rev D C Boggs performing the ceremony. Mrs Watson was the sister of the late Congressman Hugh Dinsmore, and daughter of A W Dinsmore, pioneer Benton County settler and Bentonville merchant. He moved to this county at an early date following a visit to Arkansas to act as best man at the wedding of a friend. Mrs. Watson died a few years ago. His death occurred at the home on 12th street which he established fifty years ago. Having a keen interest in politics he was a member of the last Constitutional Convention. Mr Watson also served as a representative from both Benton and Boone Counties, as well as a term as state senator. He is survived by three sons, Penn of San Diego, Calif.; Chester of Wichita Falls, Texas; Clement of Tulsa; also by four daughters, Miss Katherine Watson, a member of the faculty of the Daniel Baker College, Brownwood, Texas; Mrs E H Bull of Buffalo, N Y ; Mrs E C DeShong of Bentonville and Miss Polly Watson of the home. He also leaves a large number of relatives and hosts of friends to mourn his departure. Mr Watson was a member of the Episcopal Church but attended the Presbyterian Church with his family. An event of great interest to Mr Watson last year was the birth of a great granddaughter, born to M. and Mrs Knowles of Syracuse, New York, on his 81st birthday. Mrs Knowles is the daughter of Mrs E H Bull.
Contributed on 9/19/12 by wfields55
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Record #: 757914