Watson, Eugene (1859-1935)

Henderson’s City of Vancouver Directory, 1905, page 470.

Eugene Watson lived at 1859 Robson Street from 1905 to 1913. He was a carpenter and builder, and he later became a real estate and financial broker.

 

Watson and Bowen – Henderson’s Greater Vancouver City Directory – 1913 – page 90

 

Early Life

Eugene Watson was born Orra Eugene Watson in Kent County, Ontario. Various dates appear for his birth, including October 22 and September 16, probably in 1859 or 1860, His parents were John Watson (1815-1887) and Rosanna Jane Delong (1821-1900).

Eugene may have been working on a farm in Canton, New York State, in 1880.

By 1892, he was living in Calgary, Alberta (which was then part of the Northwest Territories). He worked as a carpenter and builder. From January 1893 to January 1894, he was an alderman on the Calgary municipal council.

 

Calgary’s first city council, January 1, 1894; Glenbow Museum, NA-1402-1; http://ww2.glenbow.org/dbimages/arc3/l/na-1402-1.jpg. Alderman Eugene Watson, back row, second from left.

 

Marriage to Cora Lapier

On May 11, 1892, in Calgary, Eugene married Cora Lee Lapier. She was born on March 18, probably about 1870, in Iroquois, Ontario. Her parents were James Lapier and Emmeline (or Adeline) Frooms. James Lapier was a merchant.

 

Calgary Herald, May 12, 1892, page 1, column 5.

 

 

To Vancouver

Eugene first appeared in the Vancouver directories in 1898. He was living at 521 Hornby Street, and carrying on business as a carpenter and contractor.

He later had a brokerage business with John L. Bowen.

In 1908, Cora published a notice that she was no longer authorizing Eugene to act for her.

 

Vancouver Daily World, October 2, 1908, page 26, column 6.

In 1914, in Seattle, Washington, Cora obtained a divorce from Eugene.

On June 24, 1916, Cora married John Bemister Paine, who was born in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, on May 10, 1879. His parents were George Paine and Isabel Bemister. George Paine was a clergyman. John had also been married before, to Ethel Mae Kingsley; that marriage had ended in divorce.

Cora’s and John Bemister Paine’s marriage ended. John obtained a decree of nullity. The British Columbia courts would not recognize Cora’s divorce in Seattle, because Eugene was domiciled in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the time of the divorce application.

 

Vancouver Province, June 19, 1931, page 3, column 4.

 

 

Vancouver Province, July 24, 1931, page 13, column 4.

 

After the decree of nullity, Cora reverted to using Watson as her surname. She died in Coquitlam, British Columbia on March 10, 1955.

 

Vancouver Province, March 12, 1955, page 33, column 6.

 

John Bemister Paine married again, this time to Beatrice Evans. John died in North Vancouver, on November 2, 1952. Beatrice died in North Vancouver on December 23, 1974.

 

Eugene’s Later Life

In 1912, Eugene went to Calgary to promote the “Try-New-Life” device, which was supposed to promote health and happiness.

Calgary Herald, November 8, 1912, page 20, column 2.

 

The “Try-New-Life” machines were electric vibrators, which the promoters said would help to deal with almost any health-related problem.

Vancouver Sun, November 13, 1912, page 3, columns 1-3.

It appears that Eugene was in Winnipeg by 1914, when Cora applied to the Seattle courts for a divorce.

In 1929, a building contractor named Eugene Watson was building houses in Winnipeg. (It is possible, though not certain, that this is the same Eugene Watson.)

 

Winnipeg Tribune, July 20, 1929, page 8, columns 3-5.

 

A man named Eugene Watson died in Winnipeg on September 20, 1935. (Again, it is possible, but not certain, that this is the same Eugene Watson who had lived in Vancouver.)

 

Winnipeg Tribune, September 23, 1935, page 4, column 5.

 

Eugene Watson and Cora Lee Lapier had a son.

 

Morley Kenneth Watson

Morley Kenneth Watson was born in Vancouver on July 25, 1899. He worked for the ship chandlery department of McLennan, McFeely and Company, a large dealer of supplies and equipment.

On August 9, 1922, in Vancouver, Morley married Ida Florence Durell. She was born in 1901 in London, England. Her parents were  Alfred George Durell and Sarah Elizabeth Hammond.

Morley died on August 2, 1978, in Burnaby, British Columbia.

 

 

Sources

John Watson (father of Eugene Watson)

John Watson, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~shunkfamilytree/FamilyTree/fam15645.htm.

 

Orra Eugene Watson

Orra Eugene Watson, http://thebigpond.ca/familytree/person/1/i_I214/orra-eugene-watson.

Orra Eugene WATSON, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~shunkfamilytree/FamilyTree/fam15810.htm.

“Canada Census, 1871,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4Q2-HTT : accessed 04 Dec 2013), Eugene Watson in household of Rosannah Watson, Harwich, Kent, Ontario, Canada.

“Canada Census, 1881,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MVDL-FSS : accessed 04 Dec 2013), Wilfred Watson in household of John Watson, Howard, Bothwell, Ontario, Canada.

The Mayors and Councils of the Corporation of Calgary, compiled by Frederick Hunter; http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~database/history/THE%20MAYORS%20AND%20COUNCILS%20OF%20THE%20CORPORATION%20OF%20CALGARY.htm: “Eugene Watson, (1st Term), sworn 3 January 1893, assumed Office 16 January 1893, Installation 16 January 1893, resignation dated 2 January 1894, received and accepted by Council 2 January 1894 with immediate effect although no specific provision for resignation, apart from indirect allusion, yet existed in City Charter.”

Eugene Watson, Town of Calgary Councillor, 1893 January 16 – 1894 January 2; http://cocnmp.com/aldermanic_gallery/.

Henderson Directories. Henderson’s Manitoba and Northwest Territories gazetteer and directory. Winnipeg: Henderson Directory Co, 1894 (Calgary), page 508, http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/bibliography/848.11/22.html.

Henderson’s Manitoba and Northwest Territories gazetteer and directory. Winnipeg: Henderson Directory Co, 1897, (Calgary), page 366, http://peel.library.ualberta.ca/bibliography/848.12/308.html.

Henderson’s BC Gazetteer and Directory, 1898, page 636: “Watson, Eugene, contractor, 521 Hornby.”

1898 BC Voters: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canbc/vote1898/votew.htm: Watson, Eugene, 521 Hornby St, Carpenter, Van.

“Canada Census, 1901,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KHVN-PWZ : accessed 03 Dec 2013), Eugene Watson, 1901. [http://automatedgenealogy.com/census/View.jsp?id=59798&highlight=33&desc=1901+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Eugene+Watson]

“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-M2MM : 2 March 2015), Eugean Watson, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661.

1911 Census of Canada, British Columbia / Vancouver / 1 Vancouver City / page 14; family 136, lines 33-35, http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=63672&highlight=33&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+eugean+Watson.

Manitoba Death Registrations; Registration Number: 1935-036179; Eugene Watson; Date of Death: September 20, 1935; Place of Death: Winnipeg; Date of Birth: September 16, 1860; age at death: 75.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLBB-T7Y : 30 September 2015), Morley Kenneth Watson, 1978.

Morley Kenneth Watson, death notice, Vancouver Sun, August 5, 1978, page D1: “Watson—Passed away August 3, 1978, Morley Kenneth Watson, aged 79 years, late of North Burnaby. Survived by his loving wife, Florence, 2 stepsisters, Gladys and [illegible] Manners, North Vancouver, Bernice and Al Abbott, White Rock. Memorial service Tuesday, August 9 at 1:30 p.m. from the Burnaby Funeral Directors Chapel, 4276 Hastings Street, North Burnaby, Rev. A. Manson, officiating. Cremation. In lieu of flowers, donations to the charity of your choice.”

 

Cora Lee Lapier

“Ontario Births, 1869-1912,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FMSB-X94 : accessed 04 Dec 2013), Cora Bell Lapier, 1870.

“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-M2M9 : 2 March 2015), Cora Watson in entry for Eugean Watson, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661.

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZL-ZK1 : accessed 04 Dec 2013), John Bemister Paine and Cora Belle Watson, 1916.

British Columbia Marriage Registrations, Registration Number: 1916-09-084339, John Bemister Paine and Cora Belle Watson, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=b12f854f-1db5-4e49-9718-4c5e53e37fec.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLRD-VFS : accessed 04 Dec 2013), John Bannister Paine in entry for Cora Belle Watson, 1955.

British Columbia Death Registrations. Registration Number: 1955-09-003690, Cora Belle Watson, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=82aee0a8-26ff-487a-9647-c349d2004c65.

 

Morley Kenneth Watson

British Columbia Birth Registrations, Registration Number: 1899-09-316164, Morley Kenneth Watson, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=fec7f0f9-db91-43f2-a381-372177c7c79f.

“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV95-M2MS : 2 March 2015), Morley Watson in entry for Eugean Watson, 1911; citing Census, Vancouver Sub-Districts 1-18, British Columbia, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,661.

Free BMD Births, Florence Ida L Durell, Births Sep 1901, Lambeth district, Greater London, volume 1d, page 485, http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/cgi/districts.pl?r=105706153&d=bmd_1383034811.

“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2FZL-634 : 1 October 2014), Florence Ida L Le Vavasseur Dit Durell, 1901; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Lambeth, London, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.

“England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2FZV-12Y : 1 October 2014), Florence Ida L Durell, 1901; from “England & Wales Births, 1837-2006,” database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Birth Registration, Lambeth, London, England, citing General Register Office, Southport, England.

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZ1-NJT : accessed 04 Dec 2013), Morley Kennedy Watson and Ida Florence Durell, 1922.

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JDZ1-NJY : accessed 03 Dec 2013), Eugene Watson in entry for Morley Kennedy Watson and Ida Florence Durell, 1922.

“Washington, Seattle, Passenger Lists, 1890-1957,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KY27-SBL : accessed 04 Dec 2013), Morley Kenneth Watson; (October 1923)images: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-22086-8040-39?cc=1916081&wc=M9WL-5Y5:119610324; https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-22086-8213-23?cc=1916081&wc=M9WL-5Y5:119610324.

 

John Bemister Paine (second husband of Cora Lee Lapier)

“British Columbia Marriage Registrations, 1859-1932,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JD87-T4F : accessed 04 Dec 2013), John Bemister Paine in entry for Addison Bennett Manners and Gwladas Isabel Paine, 1929.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FLPF-C9R : accessed 04 Dec 2013), John Bemmister Paine, 1952.

“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FL11-SPX : accessed 04 Dec 2013), John Bemister Paine in entry for Beatrice Paine, 1974.

British Columbia Marriage Registrations, Registration Number: 1929-09-356286, Addison Bennett Manners and Gwladas Isabel Paine, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=79467555-cc8b-4b72-9ca9-2ed9246bf51d.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1984-09-004245, Addison Bennett Manners, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=90308f6f-5b18-4748-8859-301046fb85e9.

British Columbia Death Registrations, Registration Number: 1992-09-008629, Gladys Isabel Manners, http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=b948ca53-b443-4531-ad65-e44289a36986; http://search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Genealogy/DisplayGenealogyImage?k=9ecf0d64-6faf-4c80-971e-1247aacac121.