Past & Present

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cared for office, perferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests which have brought him signal success. He and his wife are both members of the United Brethren church, to which he contributes liberally; and their acquaintance in the county where they have so long resided is wide and favorable. With limited educational privileges and no financial assistance, Mr. Potter started out in life on his own account, and has worked his way steadily upward, placing his dependence upon the substantial qualities of energy, determination and unfaltering industry; and these have served as a strong foundation upon which he has builded the superstructure of his success. He has for two-thirds of a century been a resident of the county, and is perhaps as well known as any man within its borders.
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                                          THOMAS  M.  WATSON,  M. D.
 
     Dr. Thomas M. Watson, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Griggsville, was born in Barry, Pike county, November 25, 1851, his parents being John and Agnes (Begg) Watson, both of whom were natives of Paisley, Scotland, the former born November 23, 1805, and the latter March 4, 1813. They were married November 24, 1849, Agnes Begg being his third wife. His second wife was Isabelle Begg, a sister of Agnes. In his native country Mr. Watson was a designer of Paisley shawls. Coming to America he first located in Quincy, Illinois, and later removed to Barry, where he engaged in teaching school. He also served as postmaster there, and in 1850 embarked in merchandising, which he conducted for a number of years, being one of the leading early merchants of the county. He also contributed to its educational progress, and was a prominent member of the first teachers' institute held in Pike county. His name was a synonym for honesty; and he could never be tempted into doing anything which he believed to be wrong, so that he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and an example that is indeed worthy of emulation. He died in August, 1862, while the mother of our subject passed away in her eighty-first year. They were the parents of three sons, Thomas M., John B. and William W.
     Thomas M. Watson spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, his youth being passed in the usual manner of lads of the period; his time being devoted between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the various duties which were assigned to him by his mother. He lost his father when only about eleven years of age. After acquiring his preliminary education, he continued his studies in Lombard University at Galesburg, Illinois; and having completed a good collegiate course, he prepared for the practice of medicine as a student in the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the class of 1874. Almost immediately afterward, Dr. Watson was married to Miss Helena Terry, the wedding being celebrated on the 19th of May, 1874. She was born in Barry, February 22, 1853, and is a daughter of James L. and Alzina C. (Liggett) Terry, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Pike county, Illinois.
     Soon after his marriage Dr. Watson located for practice in Griggsville, where he has since remained, having now more than thirty years been a representative of the medical profession in this part of the state. His practice extends to neighboring towns, and his ability is recognized in the liberal patronage accorded him. He has been a thorough and discriminating student, keeping in touch with the modern scientific research and bringing to bear in the solution of difficult problems, which continually confront the physician, board and comprehensive knowledge of the sciences of medicine and surgery. He is likewise an active and valued factor in community life, having co-operated in many progressive measures for the general good. He served as mayor of Griggsville in 1885, and at this writing, in 1906, is an alderman. He is also secretary of the school board, which position he has filled for twenty-three years, and he is president of the board of directors of the public library. His political allegiance is given to the republican party; and his fraternal affiliation is with Griggsville lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., in which he served as master

 

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