News

We left its shores and brought with us its values

WILLIAM WATTERSON

Died December 22nd 1912.

A cable message was received on Tuesday stating that Mr William Watterson, of Bishop, California, had died on Dec. 22nd. Mr Watterson was the eldest son of the late Mr Mark Watterson, of Knockaloe, Patrick, and himself and several brothers and sisters settled in California, and have been identified with the progress and prosperity of that district for a great many years. Mr Watterson and a nephew and brother (Mr George Watterson) visited the Island two years ago, and renewed acquaintance with their Manx relatives and friends. Mr Watterson was a man of singularly loveable character, and was possessed of great business ability and integrity. He leaves a widow and several children.

FURTHER PARTICULARS. “The Inyo Register ‘ published in Bishop, Inyo County, California, of Dec. 26th, contains the following particulars concerning the death of Mr William Watterson, brother to Mrs A. J. Ridge, Douglas, from which the following is extracted :-

The lingering illness of William Watterson terminated fatally on Sunday forenoon, pneumonia intervening to add its complications to his troubles, and causing the end.

A brief biographical sketch shows that he was born in Peel, Isle of Man, on November 10th, 1842. On February 28th, 1869, he was married to Miss Eliza Quayle, and that same year the bride and groom came to make their home in America. They came to California. via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Francisco on June 3rd, 1869. They made their home in the vicinity of Stockton for several years, then at Delano, Kern County, where Mr Watterson and his brother Mark were engaged in the sheep business. They came to Inyo in 1886, buying farm property which was thereafter improved and made more valuable. Success attended their labours ; since retiring from active work on the farm ai range, the family home has been in Bishop. Of Mr Watterson’s brothers, James died in Benton, Mono County, leaving a family now well-known residents of Bishop ; Mark sold his interests here, and went to his native land to spend his closing days ; George is the head of the prominent hardware house of George Watterson Company. Mrs White Smith of Bishop, and Mrs Arthur Ridge, who has been here, were sisters -of the deceased.

The surviving members of the family of which he was the head are his companion of so many years ; sons : Wilfred W., president of the Inyo County Bank, present head of the municipal government, and one of the county’s foremost citizens ; and Mark Q. Watterson, cashier of the bank named ; and four daughters : Mrs C. E. Kunze, now of Berkeley Mrs J. C. Clausen, of Los Angeles ; Miss Elsie Watterson, and Miss Mary Watterson, of Bishop.

Men like William Watterson leave their impress on the time in which they live. His passing is a loss not only to those immediately bereft but to the community for whose advancement he has done much. Quiet and modest in nature, he found his reward in consciousness of duty done, in satisfaction at his part in shaping the drift of community events toward better things. Whatever the cause, if it were worthy of support it could rely upon his co operation. It is our sincere belief that a individual has done more, or has wielded; stronger influence through personality alone for progress in this valley than Mr Watterson His convictions were strong, and though never intruded were ever weighty in affairs. In high and consistent character, he was eminently qualified to assist in advancing the permanent interests of the community favoured by the residence of himself and family in it. He lived uprightly, and in the respect and esteem of all, and he died “the death of the righteous,” a Christian whose life was in accord with his professions. One of the finest men who has come among us has been taken.

The funeral on Tuesday was conducted by Rev A. P. Beall, assisted by Rev S. S. Patterson and Rev C. S. Maddox, at the Methodist Church. The Masons conducted the service at the cemetery, Mr Watterson having been a member of Winnedumah Lodge for- the last nineteen years.

http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/mquart/mq12c01.htm#1203c From Francis Coakley’s labor of love to scan the Manx Notebooks. Shortly after the Watterson entry came this.

JOSEPH E. DOBSON.

The following is from “The Daily Mining Journal,” Ishpeming, U.S.A., of December 30th last:-
Joseph E Dobson, who was accidentally shot in the arm by a companion, near Silver Creek, eleven miles south of Ishpeming, where they were hunting rabbits last Thursday, died Saturday morning in the Ishpeming hospital. The shot. from the gun had shattered the bones in and above the elbow of Mr Dobson’s right arm, and amputation was necessary.

Although Mr Dobson was seriously hurt, he walked more than a mile before a team could be secured to take him to the hospital. He suffered greatly and lost considerable blood, but it was not at first thought that the wound would result in his death.

Dobson, who was thirty-two years of age, and his companion boarded at the home of George Garrett, on Excelsior-street. He was a native of the Isle of Man, and came out from there four years ago in company with relatives. His parents, also a widow and one child, are living in the old country.
The remains were removed from the hospital to the home of his brother, Richard, at 640 Morris-street, from where the funeral took place on December 31st, under direction of Court Widows Friend, Ancient Order of Foresters, of which the deceased was a member. The funeral service was held in the First Methodist Episcopal Church