J. W. Watson, Sr.

John William Watson Sr. (October 31, 1859 - February 8, 1942) was an American politician and businessman who served in a number of elected positions throughout Florida.

Biography Watson was born on October 31, 1859, in North Carolina. He studied at Raleigh Academy then traveled and worked various jobs. He eventually settled in Kissimmee, Florida where he established a hardware business and became active in local and state politics. He expanded the business to Miami and eventually moved there, building an edifice that would be known as the Watson Building, downtown.

Watson was elected as state representative for the area that included Kissimmee and later Miami. He won at least 13 popular elections. He was later elected Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and a member of the Florida Senate and served as the City of Miami's 6th and 8th Mayor. His first Miami election was a landslide.

In between political victories, he owned a grocery store, hardware company and grapefruit grove among his multiple business endeavors.

He built several buildings in Miami which became important to the city's growth and long-term development. The Watson family is considered to be among Miami's first settlers as they arrived before the railroad to town was complete.

Watson testified before the House of Representatives' Committee on Indian Services regarding his first-hand knowledge of Seminole Indian culture and his distaste for the plans to drain the Everglades.

He ran for Florida Governor unsuccessfully in 1911–1912.

Watson Island is named after him. He died on February 8, 1942, at the age of 82, in Miami, Florida. He is buried in the Miami City Cemetery.

Fraternal and civic affiliations Fraternally he was connected with the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, and the Elks.