Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
Home Search  
Print Bookmark
John Watson

John Watson[1, 2]

Male 1820 - 1903  (83 years)

Personal Information    |    Media    |    Notes    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Photos
    John Watson    		John Watson
    from a catalog of the Ayr Agricultural Works, March 1867
    John Watson    		John Watson
    From the Digital Collection Kitchener Public Library
    John Watson    		John Watson
    from the Ayr Agricultural Catalog of 1867
    Watson,John-0001-SaturdayGlobeAugust1889-sketch.jpg    		Watson,John-0001-SaturdayGlobeAugust1889-sketch.jpg
    John Watson - Saturday Globe August 1889

  • Name John Watson 
    Born 12 Jun 1820  Glasgow, , Lanark, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] 
    Gender Male 
    Business Gore Fire Insurance, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gore Fire Insurance Co. 
    • THE GORE FIRE INSURANCE CO.

      Among the many institutions of which Galt boasts, none are more conspicuous than the Gore Ins. Co's pal-atial and imposing structure situated on the corner of Main and Ainslie streets. The style is of a Romanesque char-acter, and is built with Connecticut brown-stone, rock-faced base up to the first storey window sills ; above this it is faced with brown pressed brick, tooled portage entry stone trimmings and Terra Cotta carvings. The corner of Main and Ainslie streets is round, having over the main entrance a heavily moulded arch, supported on two Doric columns, and over the arch the Company's name carved in mediaeval letters. This round corner is continued up above the roof, forming a round tower, roofed with Span-ish tiles and terminating in a columned and octagon lantern, with ogee top and flag staff. Total height from the side-walk about eighty-two feet. The Gore has about 125 active agents through Ontario.1a

      1a1897 Jubilee Souvenir of Galt
    Gore Fire Insurance Co. in 1897    		 Gore Fire Insurance Co. in 1897
    From 1897 Jubilee Souvenir of Galt
    Historic Building 1852  44 Piper Street, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    • It is suspected that this house was built circa 1844 but its recorded history begins in 1852 when the house was sold to John Watson, the owner of the largest factory in the village,.... Another past owner of the home was Dr. Duff Wilson, former Medical Officer of Health for Waterloo County.
    Dr. Duff Wilson's home of Piper St., Ayr, Ontario about 1911    		 Dr. Duff Wilson's home of Piper St., Ayr, Ontario about 1911
    Occupation 1861  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Iron Founder 
    Residence 1861  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Free Church 
    Business 1864  Ayr Foundry, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [11] 
    Ayr Foundry 
    Occupation 1871  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Iron Foundry 
    Residence 1871  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Ayr 
    Residence 1871  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Presbyterian 
    Historic Building 1876  128 Piper St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Two story brick house 
    • Two story brick house constructed in 1876. Built by John Watson founder of The John Watson Manufacturing Company. Later owned by Elizabeth D. Watson and Mary U. Watson.
    Occupation 1881  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    Foundryman 
    Residence 1881  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    C. Presbyterian 
    Business 1885  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Ayr Agricultural Works 
    Watson Trade Card 1885, Ayr, Ontario    		 Watson Trade Card 1885, Ayr, Ontario
    Elected Office 1885  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Warden for the County of Waterloo 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179938352 
    Residence 1891  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    C. Presbyterian 
    Occupation 1901  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Manufacturer 
    Improved Field Cultivator manufactured by John Watson Manufacturing Co.    		 Improved Field Cultivator manufactured by John Watson Manufacturing Co.
    Died 14 Dec 1903  Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 12] 
    Cause: Cause: Cardiac Failure 
    Buried 17 Dec 1903  Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 8] 
    Website 1909  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Photograph 
    Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region Bef 2012  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [13] 
    Historic Business 45 Stanley St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    The John Watson Manufacturing Company 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-57783 
    Person ID I57783  Generations
    Last Modified 12 May 2024 

    Father Archibald Watson,   b. Abt 1780, of, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Mother Margaret,   b. Abt 1780, of, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Family ID F30789  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Elizabeth Ann Dolman,   b. 1828, , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 12 Sep 1866, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 38 years) 
    Children 
     1. William Dolman Watson,   b. 18 Oct 1852, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 15 Apr 1907, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 54 years)
     2. Robert Watson,   b. CALC 13 Aug 1854, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Jan 1860, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 5 years)
     3. James Hillman Watson,   b. CALC 2 Feb 1856, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Nov 1874, Ithaca, Tompkins, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 18 years)
     4. Hannah Marie Watson,   b. 1857, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Jan 1860, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 3 years)
     5. Anna Maria Watson,   b. 1857, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Jan 1860, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 3 years)
     6. Reeve Alfred Edward Watson,   b. 20 Dec 1860, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Feb 1943, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 82 years)
     7. Emily Barbara Watson,   b. 1863, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 May 1888  (Age 25 years)
     8. Mary Urie Watson,   b. 1866, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Sep 1950, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years)
     9. Elizabeth Dolman Watson,   b. 4 Jul 1866, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Oct 1944, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years)
    Last Modified 13 May 2024 
    Family ID F14918  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Mary Urie,   b. 1826, of, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Apr 1851, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 25 years) 
    Children 
     1. John George Watson,   b. 21 Aug 1847, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 Oct 1918, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years)
    Last Modified 13 May 2024 
    Family ID F25049  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 3 Harriet McKallor,   b. CALC 26 Nov 1826, , USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Jul 1888, New York City, New York, USA. Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 61 years) 
    Children 
     1. Charles Jerome Watson,   b. CALC 7 Sep 1868, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 24 Aug 1869, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 0 years)
    Last Modified 13 May 2024 
    Family ID F34885  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Born in 1820 in Scotland, John Watson came to Canada in 1845. By 1847, he opened a foundry in Ayr which built farm implements. The success of the business was made evident when Watson received a gold medal from the Provincial Agricultural Association of Upper Canada in Kingston, but one of many accolades awarded to the company.

      Beyond his business pursuits, Watson founded the Ayr Library in the late 1840's and was elected vice-president of the Waterloo Reform Association in 1855. He became magistrate in 1863 and served on the North Dumfries and South Waterloo Farmer's Mutual Fire Insurance Company board in 1864. In 1880, he was appointed to the Ontario Agriculture Commission and served as Chairman of the Agriculture Education Division.

      When Ayr was incorporated as a village in 1884, Watson was elected Reeve and Warden of the County by acclamation. He died on 14 December 1903.

      Kitchener Public Library Digital Collection

      ________________________

      Died In Ayr, at 5 o'clock, P.M. Monday, Dec. 14th, 1903, John Watson, sr. In his 84th year. The Funeral Will take place on Thursday, Dec. 17th, from his late residence, Piper St., to the Ayr Cemetery, Service at the house at 2 o'clock, p.m. Friends and acquaintances will please accept this intimation.

      Waterloo Historical Society Death Notices Collection - photocopies

  • Sources 
    1. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      John George Watson Born: Canada Age: 23 Father: John Watson Mother: Mary Wise Born: abt 1848 Spouse: Margaret Hall Age: 22 born: Canada Father: William Hall Mother: Ellen McCulam married 9 May 1871 married: Waterloo

    2. [S4] Vit - ON - Marriage Registration.
      Jennie Wyllie Born: Ayr Age: 27 Father: John Wyllie Mother: Margaret Pringle Born: abt 1863 Spouse: Alfred Edward Watson Age: 29 born: Ayr Father: John Watson Mother: Elizabeth Dolman married 18 Nov 1890 married: Waterloo, Ayr

    3. [S326] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1901, Ayr (Village) A Page 3.

    4. [S205] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1881, North Div. 2 Page 79.

    5. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link .
      John Watson/ born At/ Glasgow, Scotland/ June 12th 1820/ died/ Dec. 14th 1903/ aged 83 years, 6 Mos. / Elizabeth Ann Dolman/ wife of John Watson/ died Sep. 12th 1866/ aged 37 Yrs. / H. Mckallor/ wife of/ John Watson/ died July 26th 1888/ aged 61 Yrs.

    6. [S1778] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1861, Div 2 Page 19.

    7. [S564] Census - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - 1891, pg 10.

    8. [S367] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Ayr - Ayr Public CC#4489 Internet Link .
      [Front-Northeast] Mary Urie/ wife of/ John Watson/ died Apl. 5th 1851/ aged 24 Yrs./ Elizabeth Dolman Watson/ died Oct. 29th 1944/ aged 78 years/ Mary Urie Watson/ died Sept. 13th 1950/ aged 84 years/ Alfred Edward Watson/ died Feb. 26th 1943/ aged 83 years/ Jennie Wyllie/ Wife of/ Alfred E. Watson/ Died June 19th 1898/ Aged 35 Years/ Helena Alma Quance/ Wife of/ A. Wyllie Watson/ Died July 31st 1949.
      [Left-Southwest] John Watson/ born at/ Glasgow, Scotland/ June 12th 1820,/ died/ Dec. 14th 1903,/ aged 83 years, 6 Mos./ Elizabeth Ann Dolman/ wife of John Watson/ died Sep. 12th 1866;/ aged 37 Yrs./ H. McKallor/ wife of/ John Watson/ died July 26th 1888/ aged 61 Yrs./ William Dolman Watson/ Died April 15, 1907/ Aged 54 Y'rs./ Jessie Murray Watson/ died March 23, 1947/ aged 89 years/ Watson
      [Back-Southeast] Children of John Watson/ Robert/ died Jan. 13th 1860/ aged 5 Yrs. & 5 Mos./ Anna Maria/ died Jan. 19th 1860/ aged 2 Yrs./ Charles Jerome/ died Aug. 24th 1869/ aged 11 Mos. & 17 Dys./ James Hillman/ died Nov. 3rd 1874/ aged 18 Yrs. & 9 Mos./ Margaret/ Sister of John Watson/ Died May 19th 1873/ Aged 45 Yrs./ Emily B. U. Watson/ Wife of/ Charles F. Bryant/ Died May 23rd 1888/ Aged 25 Years.
      [Right-Northwest] Sara Margaret Watson/ died Jan. 13, 1988/ aged 91 years/ Alfred Wyllie Watson/ died Sept. 20, 1965/ aged 68 years/ Daisy Ellen Watson/ only daughter of/ Margaret and John G. Watson/ died Feb. 18th 1901/ aged 23 years/ John William Watson/ only son of/ Margaret and John G. Watson/ Died July 14th 1945/ Aged 73 Years/ John George Watson/ Died Oct. 11th 1918/ Aged 71 Years/ Margaret Boyd Hall/ Wife of/ John G. Watson/ Died Dec. 22, 1928/ in Her 80th Year.

    9. [S355] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1871, Sect. 2 Page 4.

    10. [S1217] Book - Historic Ayr Walking Tour.

    11. [S330] Directory - ON, Waterloo - 1864 - County of Waterloo gazetteer and general business directory for 1864.

    12. [S116] Vit - ON - Death Registration.
      Name: John Watson Gender: Male Birth Year: abt 1819 Birth Place: Scotland Age at Death: 84 Death Date: Dec 1903 Death Place: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

    13. [S220] Waterloo Region Hall of Fame Waterloo Region Hall of Fame.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 12 Jun 1820 - Glasgow, , Lanark, Scotland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Gore Fire Insurance Co. - - Gore Fire Insurance, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - 1852 - 44 Piper Street, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Iron Founder - 1861 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Free Church - 1861 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Ayr Foundry - 1864 - Ayr Foundry, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Iron Foundry - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Ayr - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1871 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - Two story brick house - 1876 - 128 Piper St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Foundryman - 1881 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - C. Presbyterian - 1881 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBusiness - Ayr Agricultural Works - 1885 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Warden for the County of Waterloo - 1885 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - C. Presbyterian - 1891 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Manufacturer - 1901 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: Cause: Cardiac Failure - 14 Dec 1903 - AYR, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - 17 Dec 1903 - Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWebsite - Photograph - 1909 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHall of Fame - Waterloo Region - Bef 2012 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Business - The John Watson Manufacturing Company - - 45 Stanley St., Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


This site powered by The Next Generation of Genealogy Sitebuilding ©, v. 12.0.1, written by Darrin Lythgoe 2001-2024.