Biography

Sylvanus Lamb Watson (1848-1931)

Source: Men of West Virginia, Volume II
Author: George Richmond, Pres.; C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas.
Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago Ill, 1903

Pages 471-472, Sylvanus Lamb Watson

S. L. Watson, of Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia, born December 27, 1848, has devoted his entire life and apparently inexhaustible energy to the development of West Virginia and, particularly, of Marion County. Mr. Watson has been associated with his father and brothers in all stages of the development of the Fairmont Coal field and is one of the leading executive officials of the Fairmont Coal Company. He is personally acquainted with more men of all classes than any other man in West Virginia and has taken an active part in State and county politics, although never an aspirant for office. His keen perception of opportunities combined with an ability to direct others, has inspired the confidence of all who have been associated with him and he has been interested in practically every successful enterprise, including electric light, gas, glass, industrial, development, banking, building and a score of other companies. During the past month he has taken over the Fairmont & Clarksburg Traction Company and is devoting his energy to bettering its equipment and service.

Mr. Watson resides on Eighth street and is the father of one daughter and three sons, the sons being actively engaged with him in the various enterprises with which he is prominently identified.

Additional Information:

FROM DEATH CERTIFICATES / DEATH REGISTERS

Marion County WV, Death Certificate #17251
Full-name: Sylvanus Lamb Watson
Date-of-birth: December 27, 1848
Date-of-death: December 1, 1930
Husband of Lydia Jane Fleming Watson
Occupation: Coal Operator
Son of: James Otis Watson and Matilda Lamb
Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery

Marion County WV, Death Certificate #'62-002126
Full-Name: James Otis Watson
Date-of-birth: March 25, 1875 (at age 86)
Date-of-death: February 12, 1962
Occupation: Engineer
Son-of: Sylvanus Lamb Watson & Jane Fleming
Cause-of-death: Cerebral Thrombosis, Massive / Cerebral Arteriosclerosis
Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery

Marion County WV, Death Certificate #9183
Name: Albert Thurman Watson
Date-of-birth: January 12, 1877
Date-of-death: July 22, 1950
Occupation: Retired
Son-of: Sylvanus L. Watson & Jane Fleming
Cause-of-death: Coronary Thrombosis
Buried in Woodlawn Abby

Marion County WV, Death Register, Page 178, Line 11
Name: Elizabeth Watson Randall
Date-of-birth: September 18, 1878
Date-of-death: March 22, 1951 in Oakland Maryland
Dau-of: S. Lamb Watson & Jane Fleming
Buried in Woodlawn Abby

U.S. FEDERAL CENSUS

1930 Census, Marion County WV
Fairmont City, Ward 8, ED:9, Sheet 9A
736 Fairmont Avenue
WATSON, Sylvanus L. (head) 81, mar-at-age-25, WV-WV-WV
", Jane L. (wife) 78, mar-at-age-22, WV-WV-WV
LEE, Kate (servant) 52, MD-MD-MD
FRIEND, Elsie (servant) 25, MD-MD-MD

1920 Census, Marion County WV
Fairmont, Ward 6, ED:24, Sheet 6B
736 Fairmont Avenue
WATSON, Sylvanus L. (head) 71, WV-WV-WV, Treasurer, Coal
", Jane L. (wife) 68, WV-WV-WV
LEE, Kate (servant) 40, MD-MD-MD
ROLLS, Vandiver (servant) 43, WV-WV-WV
", Jenny (servant) 40, WV-WV-WV
", Rupert (servant) 21, WV-WV-WV
", Elizabeth (servant) 12, WV-WV-WV

1910 Census, Marion County WV
Fairmont, Ward 4, ED:61, Sheet 12B
736 Fairmont Avenue
WATSON, Sylvanus L. (head) 61, m1, WV-WV-WV, Own-Income
", Jane L. (wife) 58, m1-46, 6-children/4-living, WV-WV-WV
", Elizabeth (dau) 28, WV-WV-WV
???ganhoffer, Teressa (servant) 30, Magyar-Magyar-Magyar

1900 Census, Marion County WV
Fairmont District, ED:53, Sheet 20A
736 Fairmont Avenue
WATSON, S. L. (head) Dec-1848, 51, m-26, WV-Un-Un, Mine-Operator
", Jane L. (wife) Aug-1851, 48, m-26, 5-children/4-living, WV-WV-WV
", Jas. Otis (son) Mar-1875, 25, WV-WV-WV, Inv-Manager, Coal-Operator
", Albert T. (son) Jan-1877, 23, WV-WV-WV, Purchasing-Agt, Coal-Work
", Elizabeth (dau) Sep-1878, 21, WV-WV-WV, Student
", George (son) Feb-1880, 20, WV-WV-WV, Mine-Supt
McLAUGHLIN, Anna, (lodger) Jul-1877, 33, Eng-Ire-Ire, Servant

1880 Census, Marion County WV
Fairmont District, ED:86, Page-no. 2
WATSON, Sylvanus L., 30, Farmer, VA-VA-PA
", Jane L., 27, wife, Keeping-house, VA-VA-VA
", James O., 5, son, WV-VA-VA
", Albert T., 3, son, WV-VA-VA
", Lizzie C., 2, dau, WV-VA-VA
", George, 4/12 (Feb.) son, WV-VA-VA