Byron Sprague Watson, only son of Colonel Arthur Hamilton and Anna P. (Sprague) Watson, was born May 26, 1876. He prepared at the Berkeley School and at University Grammar School, entered Brown University and was graduated A. B., class of 1897, twenty-seven years later than his father and fifty-seven years later than his grandfather, received the same degree from the same institution and all were present at the commencement day exercises, 1897; the grandfather aged eighty-three; the father aged forty-eight; the son aged twenty-one.
Immediately after graduation Mr. Watson became associated with the firm, Greene, Anthony & Company, wholesale boots and shoes, beginning in a lowly position and rising through every position to a partnership in 1903. For ten years he was his father's partner and close associate, and when the latter went to his reward in 1913, the son remained the only surviving partner and head of the immense business, located at No. 26 Pine street, Providence. He is also a director of the Nicholson File Company, Narragansett Electric Lighting Company, Union Trust Company, the Rhode Island Fire Insurance Company and Belcher & Loomis Hardware Company. A member of the staff of Governor Kimball, Mr. Watson attained the rank of colonel. He is a Republican in politics, but takes no active part in political affairs, his prominence being in the business world, his opinion there carrying the weight of authority. His clubs are the Hope, Agawam, Hunt, Rhode Island, Country, Commercial, Dedham Polo and others.
Mr. Watson married, October 31, 1899, Isabel, daughter of Edward A. Loomis, and they are the parents of Isabel Loomis, Annie Potter Sprague, and Hope Watson.
