Lewis H. & Melvina (Harnden) Watson

Lewis and Melvina married on  February 04, 1857 in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., MI at the ages of 19 & 18.  

A 1860 census showed that Lewis owned land next to his parents, Walter and Rebecca and his occupation was listed as a farmer.  

Lewis was in the Civil War - Company H of the 1st Michigan Infantry.   He enlisted on April 20, 1861 in Ypsilanti, MI and was honorably discharged on August 7, 1861 in Newark, NJ.  We are not sure if he re-enlisted for a longer term.

Lewis was also an inventor.   Click here to see a list of his patents.

The picture to the right, Ned Watson has an original.  On back of the picture it states . . . "I hereby certify that this picture was this day shown to Lucetta Gorham, Laura Gorham and George W. Watson, and they claimed it as a likeness of their brother, Lewis H. Watson, in my presence. Dated, August 21, 1895. John P. Kirk, Notary Public for Washtenaw Co., Mich."

Lewis died in 1893 so perhaps this was in regards to settling his estate?

This is the only picture we have of Lewis at this time. 

Sources indicate that Lewis left his wife Melvina and their children.  We know that he lived in Denton MI, Chicago IL  and Newark NJ.   We also know that Melvina sent two of their children, Ella and Nelson to live with Gary Covell.  Perhaps as she couldn't afford to raise them.  (We believe that Gary Covell is a relative of hers.)  We are not sure where their middle child, Jennie was raised. 

According to Widow's Pension papers dated in 1905, (Melvina applied for a pension for the time Lewis was in the Civil War) Lynn Watson-Powers obtained, Lewis and Melvina never divorced.  

The picture to the left was labeled 1893 April, Melvina Watson, age 54.  (Ned Watson has this picture.)

 Click here for more about Melvina.

There is a bit of a  mystery involved with Lewis though.  Our sources show that he was buried in Fairmount Cemetery in Newark, NJ.  We have the receipt of his gravesite purchased.  It was purchased by a Minnie Watson Dougher.  The records show that Lewis is buried along with the following people:  (Lynn Watson-Powers' neighbors went to Fairmount Cemetery and got this information and took photos for Lynn.  Thank you neighbors!  There is one large gravestone listing the following people on different sides.) 

We do know in the 1900 census it shows Minnie (b. May 1870 in NJ) had married Michael A. Dougher and they had a son named Watson A. Dougher (b. June 1896 in NJ.)  It lists a Antonette Pfister as sister in law (b. Dec. 1860 in NJ.)  Perhaps she was Minnie's sister.  Minnie had listed both her parents were born in Germany.

We are not sure who the Doughers, Pfisters or Christianna Huelsenbeck were.  Perhaps they are family or just good friends.  The mystery continues. . .

UPDATE:

We have found a copy of Lewis' will dated January 23, 1893.  The will leaves everything to his "beloved wife, Minnie Watson".  And Minnie Watson was appointed sole executive of the will.  The will is signed as:

his
Lewis H.  X  Watson
mark

Lewis died five days after signing the will.

UPDATE:

We found a copy of a marriage return for Lewis H. Watson and Minnie Gerhardt who married on 9-14-1890.  It listed Lewis as 46 years and 8 months, 2nd marriage, his occupation as a Machinist, he was born in Mich and his parents, Walter and Rebecca were born in NY.  Minnie was 20 (nearest birthday), was not a widow and this was her first marriage.  For the name of her father, there was a line drawn through the section.  It states that he was born in NJ. Her mother is listed as Christiana and I couldn't make out the writing where she was born.  It showed the marriage took place at 93 Prospect Street.  In the presence of Christianna Huelsenbeck and Aza? Heitt? (couldn't make out writing).  The pastor  was Rev. J. Lester Wells.