The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-02-20

called upon to prepare for the same issue
of a newspaper notices of the death of two
prominent citizens. but such is our unwel-
come duty to-day.
ORAAEL Fl. WATSON.
Shortly after 2 o'clock this morning
Rock Island lost one of its best beloved
business men, in the person of Mr., Oramel
H. Watson, who had been i'll less than
week, and whose death was as unexpected
by citizens generally as it is universally
lamented Deceased was born in
July 1884 and was consequently
70 rty-nine years of age at the time of his
death He came to Rock Island in Feb
ruary, 1880, from Indianapolis, Ind, and
became owner of the Rock Island glass
works. Prior to his removal to Indianapo-
lis he was a member of the firm of Griggs,
Watson and Day, Davenport, publishers.
blank book manufacturers, etc. While
resident of Indianapolis he was vice presi-
dent of the Eagle Machine Works. In
April 1873 he married Miss Kate Mitchell,
daughter of Mr. F. L. Mitchell of this city,
by whom he had one child, son now
about seven and half years of age. His
mother is now living with his sister, Mrs.
Lewis Hasselman of Indianapolis. Mrs.
F. II. Griggs, of Davenport, is also sur
. viving sister. The date of the funeral is
not yet announced.
In all the relations, of life, whether of a
domestic nature or an employer. the ties
which bound him to family, business asso-
ciates and employees were of no ordinary
character. What he had done for Rock
Island during his short residence here,
every one knows. The reSuscitation and
rapid upbuilding of one of our leading
industries was but the forerunner of future
purposes which included an extensive adj
dition to his establishment durin g the com
ing season. But all of these plans have
been shattered and in the untimely re-
moyal of this business and social pillar in
our community we are once
again reminded of the solemn truism that
IMAM proposes but God dispeses.7 Out
side of the home circle there viii be sim
cere mourning, especially by the men in
his employ who regarded him as an inter
ested friend, as well as employer, and
whose affection for him seemed heartily
reciprocated Rock Island, as munici-
pality. can lily afford to lose such a man
as Mr.. Watson. but we can hope that what
is our loss is his eternal gain.
SAMUEL. s. GUYER.
A few minutes after o'clock this morn
ing Judge Guyer was summoned to his
eternal rest. He was born in Lewistown,
manhood he was a contractor and assisted
in the construction of the Pennsylvania
canal aqueduct Subsequently he became
a reporter for the Harrisburg Chronicle,
his elder brother being protege of Hon.
Simon Cameron, (the owner of the paper,)
having been placed in charge of it. In
June 1889 he came into. this state with his
mother and sisters, settling first in Peoria
Soon afterward he embarked extensively
in the business of building flat boats and
stocking the same with merchandise he
made frequent trips down the river to
Natchez, New Orleans and other southern
cities On one of these trips he was caught
in what was called the disastrous
Natchez tornado in 1912 and lost every
thing he possessed in the world. His
clothing, even, was stripped from him
such was the fury of the gale, and he was
blown into the river. Afterward he re-
turned to Peoria and entered upon the
study of law with Mr.. Knowlton, father of
our townsman Mr.. William S. Knowlton of
1929 Second avenue and in the spring of
'43 his brother brought him in his buggy as
far as Rock river and he came on to this
city, arriving here with few law books
and seven dollars in cash After looking
about he decided upon suitable location
ard opened a law office, but did not prac-
tice to any great extent as in 1S47, or
thereabouts he was elected sheriff of Rock
Island county and was reelected
to the same office, his official course during
his first term most favorably commencing
him to the people for second one. About
this time he married Miss Annette Holmes,
daughter of Judge Geo. E. Holmes, OF Port
Byron, who together with a daughter,
Miss Nettie, and a son. Mr.. Edward Ell.
Guyer) survives him. In business in this
section he was remarkably vioorous ao-