David K. Watson

David Kemper Watson (June 18, 1849 – September 28, 1918) was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.

David Kemper Watson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 12th district
In office March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1897
Preceded by	Joseph H. Outhwaite
Succeeded by	John J. Lentz
19th Ohio Attorney General
In office January 9, 1888 – January 11, 1892
Governor	Joseph B. Foraker James E. Campbell
Preceded by	Jacob A. Kohler
Succeeded by	John K. Richards
Personal details
Born	June 18, 1849 London, Ohio
Died	September 28, 1918 (aged 69) Columbus, Ohio
Resting place	Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Louise M. Harrison
Children	two
Alma mater	Dickinson College

Born near London, Ohio, Watson was graduated from Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 1871 and from the law department of Boston University in 1873. He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice. He served as assistant United States district attorney for the southern district of Ohio during the administration of President Arthur.

Watson was elected attorney general of Ohio in 1887 and reelected in 1889. In 1890, he successfully prosecuted the Standard Oil Company under the Sherman Antitrust Act, leading the court to dissolve the trust.[1] He served as special counsel for the United States in the suits brought by the Government against the Pacific railroads in 1892.

Watson was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1897). He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1896 to the Fifty-fifth Congress. He was appointed by President William McKinley as a member of the commission to revise and codify the laws of the United States. He resumed the practice of law.

He died in Columbus, Ohio, September 28, 1918. He was interred in Green Lawn Cemetery.[2]

Watson was married to Louise M. Harrison, daughter of Hon. Richard A. Harrison of Columbus, Ohio, in 1873, and had a son and a daughter.[1]

Publications

• Watson, David K. (1890). "The Early Judiciary, Early Laws and Bar of Ohio". Ohio Archaeological and Historical Publications. 3: 141–160.

References

1. Reed, George Irving; Randall, Emilius Oviatt; Greve, Charles Theodore, eds. (1897). Bench and Bar of Ohio: a Compendium of History and Biography. 2. Chicago: Century Publishing and Engraving Company. pp. 257–258.
2. Goodman, Rebecca (2005). This Day in Ohio History. Emmis Books. p. 294. ISBN 9781578601912. Retrieved 21 November 2013.

Sources

• United States Congress. "David K. Watson (id: W000200)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.