Resolution on the Death of Richard White Watson
Source: Indiana Law Journal
It is with genuine sorrow that we meet to take action on the sudden death of our fellow member which occurred on Wednesday, February 15, 1961.
Colonel Richard White Wilson was born October 27, 1878, a member of an old and respected Indiana family. His father, M.C. Watson, was a member of this Bar, and Dick studied law in his father's office. He was registered there as a student on December 6, 1906, and was admitted to the practice of law before the Courts of this County on February 12, 1912.
Like so many of his generation, the Colonel's career at the Bar was interrupted by the outbreak of World War I. Colonel Watson was interested in military affairs and had a commission in the Pennsylvania National Guard and acted as Adjutant of the 28th Division. On the outbreak of World War I, he of course entered the service with that unit. It soon developed that Colonel Watson had all the qualities of a combat officer and his promotion was rapid. At the conclusion of the War he was a Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant of the Division Staff.
Many of the Colonel's closest friends were in the 110th Infantry and particularly in F Company of that Regiment, the membership of which is almost entirely from Indiana. There are endless stories of the aid and assistance Colonel Dick was able to give his friends because of his strategic position on the Division Staff; particularly, after the fighting was over and it developed that everybody wanted a furlough to get to Paris.
Because of his affinity for the military service, Colonel Watson elected to continue his military career and was on active duty in the Adjutant General's Office of the Pennsylvania National Guard until his retirement because of a defect in his hearing. During this service, Colonel Watson designed many of the insignia used by the units of the 28th Division and wrote a complete history of the Pennsylvania National Guard for the archives of the Commonwealth. Immediately at the conclusion of World War I, Colonel Watson was one of the original group of soldiers who formed the American Legion in Paris, and he was a life long member and adherent of that organization.
Colonel Watson made his home in Indiana after his discharge from the service and, although he did not engage in active practice, was a close friend of many of the members of this Bar and a strong adherent of the Bar itself. He never missed a social meeting of the organization unless it was physically impossible for him to be present, and he gave his support and help to all of the aims of our County Bar.
Colonel Watson maintained his interest in civic affairs throughout his life and in addition to the strong support he gave to the Bar Association he was a member of the Masonic Lodge 313, Coudersport Consistory, Jaffa Temple, the Indiana County Shrine Club, BPO Elks 931, the Rotary Club of Indiana, the Indiana County Historical and Genealogical Society, and was a life long member of the Christ Episcopal Church in Indiana.
Colonel Watson is survived by his wife, Mrs Jeanne Stober Watson, and his son, Richard W. Watson, Jr., a member of the staff of Rutgers University.
In affection and regard we claim to stand second only to his most intimate friends and members of his family, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy.
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WATSON, RICHARD WHITE (10-27-1878/2-15-1961).
Buried Arlington National Cemetary, VA. Resident of Indiana and native of Indiana County. One of the founders of the American Legion at a meeting in Paris, France, March 1918.
Mr. Watson attended the public schools of Indiana and graduated 6-23-1899 from Elders Ridge Academy where he delivered an oration in Latin. On 11-25-1899 he enlisted as a private in the PA National Guard and later (1916) served on the Mexican border as captain and Assistant Division Quartermaster, 7th Division. During World War I he was called into service 7-15-1917 in the 28th Division. Embarked for France, arriving 5-18-1918. There he served as Assistant & Acting Division Adjutant until 11-4-1918 when he became Division Adjutant with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Returning to the U.S. he was honorably discharged 6-2-1919.
He was active in founding Indiana Post #141, American Legion, and served as the first commander. He was an attorney and member, Indiana County Bar Assoc. He again served as Adjutant, 28th Division June 1920 until 1932, and during 1927-32 was on special duty at the office of the Adjutant General in Harrisburg compiling a history of the PA National Guard for the files of the U.S. War Dep't.
Member, Christ Episcopal Church, Indiana; Sons of the American Revolution; V.F.W. Post #1989; and Disabled American Veterans. Secretary-treasurer, Sons of Union Veterans, Past Exalted Ruler, B.P.O.E. #931, Member & Past Master, F.A.M. Lodge #313, Indiana, and Coudersport Consistory, Jaffa Temple, and Indiana County Shrine Club. Member, Rotary Club, Indiana, and HGSIC.
Mr Watson married Jeanne Stober 6-12-1932, daughter of Lewis William & Julia E. (Zimmerman) Stober. She died 1980. They had a son, Richard W. Jr., born 4-13-1933, married Altamarie Lydick.
Col. Watson was a son of Matthew C. & Juliet (White) Watson.
