Colonel Arthur Hamilton Watson, only child of Rev. Elisha Freeman and Mary (Dockray) Watson, was born in Lonsdale, R. I., September 20, 1849, and died in Providence, November 16, 1913. He prepared in public and private schools of Kingston and Providence, and entered Brown University, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1870, just thirty years after his honored father's graduation from the same institution. In 1871 he became a clerk in the wholesale boot and shoe house, Greene, Anthony & Company, of Providence, and on January 1, 1873, was admitted a partner. From that time until his death, forty years later, he continued in the same business, becoming head of the house, the name Greene, Anthony & Company yet remaining unchanged, the house the largest of its class in Rhode Island. Mr. Watson was the active head and practically the owner for many years, his only son being admitted a partner in 1903. At the time of his death he was president of the Providence, Fall River & Newport Steamboat Company; vice-president of the Nicholson File Company; vice-president of the Narragansett Electric Company; a director of the Rhode Island Insurance Company; director of the American Screw Company; and director of the Union Trust Company. For a number of years he was a director of the Globe National Bank, formerly in operation in Providence; director of the American National Bank for fifteen years preceding its absorption by the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company; was president of the Commercial Bank from its organization until merged with the Union Trust Company.
From 1883 until 1896 he was a prominent figure in city politics, serving for ten years as councilman from the second ward, being president of council the last three years; was the Republican candidate for mayor of Providence in 1892; and for three years, 1893-96, was a member of the Board of Aldermen, serving as president of the board the last two years. He served on many committees of councils, regular and special, and was one of the active working members of the city's legislative bodies. He gained his military title as aide-de-camp, ranking as colonel on the staff of Governor Brown. His clubs were the Hope, Agawam, Commercial and University.
Colonel Watson married, February 20, 1873, Anna P. Sprague, who died February 22, 1904, a member of the Society of Colonial Dames, and of the Daughters of the American Revolution; daughter of Colonel Bryon Sprague, of Providence. Colonel and Mrs. Watson were the parents of three daughters and a son: Harriet Sprague, married John Bosworth Lewis; Bryon Sprague, of further mention; Mary Dockray, married Mason Freeman Cocroft; Annie Hamilton, married Charles Fletcher.
