DR. JOHN WATSON

Dr. John Watson was born on July 14, 1848, to John and Sarah Johnston Watson. They came to Utica, New York from Dormore, Ireland in 1855 with six older sisters. Family lore is that they came in a sailboat.  He attended the Medical College of the University of New York City, Bellevue College, and the Medical College of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He interned at Bellevue Hospital and took his M.D. in 1874. He first worked at Red Lake Falls, Minn. His first wife was Dr. Amanda Conklin, who died of tuberculosis in Minnesota.

His second wife was Louise Hanke, 20 years his junior, whom he married in 1895. In 1901 they lived in Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Their daughter Marie was born on November 22, 1897. Christopher Hanke died in 1903, and Louise and John Watson took possession of several acres of land on both sides of France Ave., which hadn’t been built yet. The house at 3800 France Ave. may date back to that time, although the City says it was built in 1931.

It is unclear where Dr. Watson practiced, but his daughter remembered a room in the back of his office for epidemics and very contagious diseases. In fact, he disinfected things so well that she had few childhood diseases. He also had a high success rate delivering babies because of his attention to preventing infections.

Dr. Watson served as Village Physician in 1911 - 1914. In 1915 he was reimbursed by the Village for formaldehyde torches he used to fumigate homes. Dr. Watson tendered his resignation in 1916, but it was refused. He agreed to stay on when Dr. Tanner was appointed his deputy. Tanner took over in 1917. Dr. Watson died on October 3, 1938.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.