Watson, Amasa B., (Amasa Brown)

Amasa Brown Watson was born on Feb. 27, 1836 in Vermont. He came to Newaygo (Mich.) at age 27 and pioneered the old Newaygo Lumber Co. Watson was commissioned as Major of the 8th Michigan Infantry, a unit he raised, on Aug. 19, 1861. He was shot through the thigh on Jan. 1, 1862 and resigned on Sept. 10, 1862, receiving an honorable discharge. On Oct. 7, 1865 he married Martha Brooks. They adopted her four orphaned nieces and nephews. Amasa owned numerous pinelands in Michigan, Mississippi, and Louisiana. He was an active Republican attending National Conventions in 1876, 1880, and 1888 as a delegate. Watson was the president, stockholder, and director of numerous pinelands in Michigan, Mississippi, and Louisiana, as well as several railroads, furniture and other companies, and two banks in Grand Rapids. The Amasa B. Watson G.A.R. Post No. 395 and the Amasa B. Watson Woman's Relief Corps in Grand Rapids were named in his honor. He died on Sept. 18, 1888. Following Amasa'a death, John A.B. Mead and William W. Mead cared for their aunt. Their sister, Julia, married the family lawyer, Thomas F. Carroll.