Charles Elliot Watson was born September 10,1870, in Northfield the son of Charles H. and Ella (Ramsdell) Watson. As a boy and young man he learned a number of skills; farming and carpentry with Josiah M. Nutting, harnessmaking with his father, various types of house repair with John C. Nutting. He also worked in the Ferguson & Richardson furniture store for some time. He studied at the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis, and went into the Northfield post office as a clerk in 1902. He advanced from clerk to assistant postmaster in 1910, which position he held until he retired in 1933. After retirement, he and his sister, Clara, who made their home together at 513 Winona, spent several winters in Long Beach, Calif. Since his father's death 1914 he has been the male head of the household. As a youth he trained in the United States Militia. He had been a member of the Methodist church since February 1889, and was a member of Social Lodge No. A.F.&A.M. His hobbies over the years have been many and varied. He was interested in photography, stamp collecting, coin collecting, fishing (he owned a cottage at Lake Mazaska), woodworking resulting in some beautiful pieces of furniture, collecting local and county history data, fruit-tree-grafting, gardening, repairs for neighbors, and other interests. Elliot Watson as a boy was almost a pioneer in the Northfield area and was one of those who helped to make and to record Northfield area history. He has been of the true pioneer stuff--thoroughly honest, dependable, careful workman not afraid of work and even eager for work. His standards of living were such that they set a fine example for young generations--a good worker, a good neighbor, and a good man. Surviving Mr. Watson are his sisters, Helen Field Watson, with whom he resided at the family home at 513 Winona, and Mrs. Paul Schlattman (Marion) of Morris. They are the last of seven sisters and brothers. There are three nieces and their children.
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| Charles Elliot Watson in 1955 |
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C. E. Watson, son of pioneer residents of Northfield and himself a highly respected lifetime resident here, passed away Thursday afternoon Aug. 18, 1960, at Northfield Hospital where he had been a patient for the past month. He had been in failing health for the past three and a half years. His death came just three weeks before his 90th birthday. Born in Northfield, Mr. Watson made his home here during his long life and was identified with many interests and activities. He enjoyed the distinction of having lived in Northfield longer than any other person, nearly 90 years, and he was the oldest member of the Methodist church, with which he had been affiliated for 71 years.
Funeral services for Mr. Watson were held Saturday afternoon at the Methodist church, followed by interment at Oaklawn cemetery where other members of the Watson family are buried. The services were conducted by the Rev. Russell A. Huffman, minister of the church, and organ and vocal music were by Sigurd G. Fredrickson director of the church choir. Active pallbearers were Ted Wickstrom of Morris, Robert Richardson, of New London, Russell Richardson of St. Paul, Dean Harris of Farmington, John Richardson of Farmington, and L. P. Lowe of Northfield. Named as honorary pallbearers were John D. Nutting, J. C. Christopherson, Milford Lyman, J. M. Wardell,C. M. Walley, O. E. Plowman, E. W Wyman, Jos. Barres, Frank J. Gallagher, G. G. Grunert, A. H. Wienke, and Alvin Houston. Arrangements were by the Bierman funeral chapel.
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| Headstone in Oaklawn Cemetery, Northfield MN |
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