~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Gleaner - Nov 16, 1916 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hon. Cyrus B. Watson, Prominent Lawyer and Citizen, Dead. Mr. Cyrus B. Watson, one of the State’s distinguished lawyers and public men, died at 7 o’clock Saturday morning at his home in Winston-Salem, aged 72. Mr. Watson had been in feeble health a long time and his death was expected. Funeral and interment in Winston-Salem Sunday afternoon. Five children survive - two sons and three daughters. Mr. Watson was born near Kernersville on January 14, 1814, in what was then part of Stokes county, now a portion of Forsyth. His father, John Watson, was a grandson of Drewry Watson, a native of Scotland, who settled in Prince Edward county, Virginia, about 1740, and whose wife was a Barksdale of Halifax, from whom he takes his middle name. Mr. Watson’s mother, before her marriage to John Watson, was Miss Maria Folger, and her great grandfather was a brother of Abia Folger of Nantucket, the mother of Benjamin Franklin. Mr. *. Watsons grandmother was a Wilson, sister of Joseph Wilson, who was one of the most distinguished lawyers of his day. He received his early education in the country school near his home and was a student in the Kernerville High School when he left to join the Confederate army. He served throughout the war, being wounded in two battles. After the war Mr. Watson worked on the farm and clerked in stores. Later he studied law under Gen. J. M. Leach of Lexington and was admitted to practice 1869. He located in Winston-Salem that year and has since lived there. He was distinguished as a criminal lawyer and had a large practice. Mr. Watson represented his country in both branches of the Legislature. In 1896 he was the Democratic nominee for Governor. His party was defeated that year. D. L. Russell being elected. He was a candidate for United States Senator in the memorable contest before the Legislature in 1901, which resulted in the election of Senator Overman. [end]