HAVENS F. AND MARY WATSON

I often find myself complaining about having to go to the grocery store—sacrificing 20-30 minutes each week to replenish my refrigerator and cupboards with necessary items.  Lately though, I have been thinking about the pioneers who braved the elements to settle here.  No quick run to the store for them.  For the early settlers, getting supplies was a major undertaking.  From the arrival of the Call brothers in July of 1854 until the summer of 1856, there was no mercantile or supply store of any kind within a 50 mile radius of Algona.  Many settlers traveled to Cedar Falls for provisions.  The nearest source of goods was at Fort Dodge where Major William Williams ran a supply store out of the fort. 

By 1856, Major Williams deemed there to be enough settlers to open a mercantile in Algona.  That summer, the Major sent H. F. Watson to manage the store for him.  

Havens F. Watson and Mary Livingston Watson

Havens F. Watson

In his mid-20s at the time, Havens Watson was a well educated man.  Born near Syracuse, New York, in 1829, he was the son of a Baptist minister.  He attended the Mexico Academy in Mexico, New York, and the Fulton Seminary in Fulton, New York, following completion of his regular public school training.  He then took up the teaching profession and became principal of the schools at Marcellus, New York, for nearly two years.  After a short stint working in a mercantile in Syracuse, he started westward.  He worked at various jobs in Illinois, Ohio, and New York during the next several years.  However in 1855, he once more heard the call to go west and this time he brought his young bride.

Mary (Livingston) Watson

Mary Livingston had been born October 7, 1834, in Syracuse, New York.  Both parents had died by the time she reached the age of 7.  A kindly family took her in.  She received a public school education where she met Havens.  In March of 1855, they were married.  I would guess that the photo picturing her with the long ringlets in her hair was taken around the time of her marriage.  Although she appears young and vulnerable, my research reveals a woman who demonstrated outstanding strength and generosity throughout her life. 

The newly married couple came at once to Fort Dodge where they lived for a year.  They were then sent by Major Williams to the settlement sometimes known as Call’s Grove, officially known as Algona.  Watson set up shop in a board shanty located on the site of the Moore cabin.  In addition to running a supply store, he was appointed postmaster that fall and distributed mail from that location.  Mr. Watson began building the first frame building on the town site which would be used both for shelter for him and his family and for the store.  This building was located on the block where the Carnegie library building now stands in Algona.  It later became part of the home owned by Captain and Mrs. W. H. Ingham that stood for many years on that block. 

It was fortuitous that the Watsons had moved into their home that fall.  Their first winter in the community (1856-57) was unrelenting and unforgettable.  Extremely cold, the snow began early and continued throughout the season.  Heavy snowfalls came so often that soon houses and stables were covered over.  Many citizens did not leave their homes during the duration of the winter.  The locals became very concerned with the condition of a young couple, Joseph and Nancy Thompson, who lived just east of town.  They knew that their supplies would not last the winter and if the bitter weather continued they would not survive.  The Watsons offered to share their home with the young couple and sent a messenger to ask them to move to town until spring.  The Thompsons began their arduous trip of approximately two miles early in the morning of Christmas Day and arrived late that evening, long after dark.  Joseph and Nancy often spoke of the warm reception they received from Havens and Mary Watson. 

The Watsons became an integral part of the community.  H.F. served as the first sheriff in the county in April of 1857 and later that same year was elected county treasurer and county recorder.  When the Algona Reading Club was formed in 1857, Mary was one of the original members.  Members would read various selections at each meeting and this group went on to put together the “Algona Bee,” a social paper combining local news and other literary works by the residents.

Indian fears and the Northern Border Brigade

Due to several encounters with Indians in the area, residents were always anxious regarding their safety.  This anxiety turned to alarm following the receipt of the news of the Spirit Lake massacre.  Two forts were built—one in Algona and the other in Irvington—to provide protection.  With the mill sawing night and day to produce enough lumber, the Algona stockade was constructed around the Town Hall which was located at 120 East State Street.  As the construction proceeded, Havens Watson, along with Abe Hill and W. Skinner, traveled to Fort Dodge to obtain ammunition.  Rumors of sightings of large bands of Indians were running rampant and everyone was on edge.  It must have taken a lot of courage to set out on such a trip, not only fearing for your own safety, but also leaving your loved ones behind knowing of the potential danger of attack.  How worried Mary must have been, watching her husband ride off, leaving her to care for and protect their children.  Luckily, Havens made it back safely.

In 1862, the day after the first volunteers left Irvington to enlist in the Civil War, word arrived of the massacre of settlers at New Ulm.  When the Northern Iowa Border Brigade was formed in September of that year to protect the inhabitants of northern Iowa, Havens Watson enlisted.  He was soon on his way to Estherville to help construct Fort Defiance.  

With Havens gone defending the settlers, Mary remained behind to keep both the business and home fires burning.  She proved that she was an equal partner to Havens in every way.  In addition to caring for their children, she managed both the store and the post office in his absence.   During these years, she befriended everyone.  She would visit the sick and help those in need.  At one time a fever struck the family of Dr. Kellogg who lived at Cresco, which was four miles south of Algona and west of Irvington.  Learning of their dilemma, one evening Mrs. Watson walked to their home (which included fording the river), sat up all night taking care of the ill and then walked back in the morning, not missing her household duties.  

Life in the growing community

Upon his return from service as First Sergeant with Company A of the Northern Iowa Border Brigade, Havens returned to his store.  In 1857, he had moved his store to the Lewis Smith building which sat west of the courthouse square on the site now known as 101 North Hall Street.  Now he moved it to the site beside the log hotel known as the St. Nicholas where the city hall currently stands.  It was moved for the last time a few years later to the south side of courthouse square, where it remained until he retired from the mercantile business.

H.F. served several terms as a county supervisor and was active in the political arena.  He purchased a farm in 1870 which he actively operated until he finally retired and moved to Algona.  The Watsons raised three children, two daughters, Lida and Lura, and a son, Ed.    

Following many years of service to her family and community, Mary Watson passed away March 9, 1900 after a short illness.  Many of the remaining pioneers gathered for the service held at her home despite the almost impassable roads.  There was not one in attendance who did not recall her many acts of self sacrifice in the early times.  Mrs. Watson was remembered as kindly, affectionate, helpful, cheerful and industrious.  Her services were held at their home and her body laid to rest in Riverview Cemetery.

Havens continued to reside in Algona until 1913 when at the age of 84 he moved to Chicago to live with his daughter, Lida Cole.  While out for a walk in July of 1914, he was hit by a passing car.  Several ribs and his collar bone were broken and his head was badly cut.  Unconscious, he was taken to the hospital where his identity was unknown.  His daughter later found him and he was brought to her home where he died.  His remains were returned to Algona where he was buried beside his beloved wife.

As some of the earliest settlers, the Watsons witnessed the changing of the vast wilderness to a progressive and prosperous city.  The bravery with which they faced the challenges and the compassion they showed to their neighbors and friends placed them among the most honored and respected citizens.   A quote from Mary Watson’s obituary sums it up.  “It was a band of the best people this country has produced that formed the early settlement of Algona. . .”

Until next time,

Kossuth County History Buff

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