Watterson Family

Introduction

See Introduction for some general background

A brief description of this family can be found in Our Pioneer Heritage, Vol. 16, p.509 + p516. William Watterson and Mary Calvin [?Colvin] Watterson, from Peel, converted to Mormonism in the 1840's and and emigrated to America in 1844, arriving at New Orleans (not yet known on what vessel).

" From there they went by boat as far as Nauvoo where William bought a farm. In the spring of 1846 they traded the farm for a yoke of oxen at the time of the expulsion of the Saints from Illinois. Misfortune was theirs. The first night, the oxen strayed from the camp-fell over a cliff and broke their necks. This necessitated considerable delay in their journey. After other oxen had been procured, the family proceeded as far as the Little Mesquite River in Iowa, where they purchased a farm, engaged in farming and remained until 1850. At this time, the family joined with a company of Saints under the command of Captain Foote, and crossed the plains to Utah-reaching Salt Lake City on October 1st. They went immediately to Bountiful in Davis County where they lived for ten years, engaging in agriculture. In 1855, William died, leaving the eldest son and Mother, Mary, to manage the farm. In 1860, Mary and two of her four children moved to Logan-again took up a farm and began raising livestock, principally cattle. Mary died here at age eighty. Her death resulted from an injury she received while riding in a sleigh with her son William. A large dog ran out, fastening his teeth in her clothing and pulling her from the sleigh. Before assistance could be rendered she had been fatally injured.

Son William Watterson

William Watterson, son of William and Mary Calvin Watterson, was born in the town of Peel, Isle of Man March 20, 1839. He came with his family to America and finally to Utah in 1850. The family settled in Bountiful and upon the death of his father in 1855, although but sixteen years of age, the responsibility of helping to provide for his brothers and sisters, with the aid of his mother, became his.

In 1860, William, his mother and two children moved to Logan and began raising livestock. Here William built a log house which the family occupied for two years. He took over the farm after the death of his mother, acquired some real estate in town, and owned a good livery barn. He served three terms as city councilman and was active in the municipal life of Logan city. He married Caroline Hobbs, daughter of Thomas and Ann Hobbs and they became the parents of four children.

In conformity to the teachings of his church, Mr. Watterson married a second time. This wife was Mary Ann Dunkley, and to this union one son, Moses D. Watterson was born. When the Edmunds-Tucker Act became a law, William was one of those who suffered fine and imprisonment for its violation. He paid a fine of three hundred fifty dollars and spent three months in the penitentiary.

William died June 6, 1920, in Logan, Cache County, Utah.

(from contribution of Dorothy Watterson Stringham)