Watson Township

History of Warren County Pennsylvania                    Schenck 1887

               Limestone Township was divided in 1880, and the northern half was organized into a separate township called “Watson,” in honor of Hon. L. F, Watson, of Warren, who owned extensive tracts of timber lands in that section.

               In 1887, oil developments had not been realized. The inhabitants were engaged in clearing lands, farming, and lumbering. Some of the finest timber tracts in the county were found there, and there were a number of steam sawmills located in the township.

               Large tracts of land were owned by capitalists and others. Hon. L. F. Warson owned about 3,500 acres in the township. Grandin and Slater own about 2,000 acres. These large tracts, owned and controlled by single individuals, would naturally retard the settlement. A large part of Watson township remained in entire wilderness at that time.

               One of the earliest settlers of the township was Peter Mowris. He was born in Ulster County, NY. He came with his wife to Warren Country in 1843, and settled in Watson Township, then called “Limestone.” Members of his family also resided in the township.

Courtesy of the Warren County Historical Society