THOMAS E. WATSON, lawyer and congressman, the well-known Georgian, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, made himself a place in his history of our country by his ability, energy and fervid oratory.  He was born in Columbia (now McDuffie) county, Georgia, Sept. 5, 1856.  He had a common-school education, and in 1872 entered Mercer University, at Macon, Georgia, as freshman, but for want of  money left the college at the end of his sophomore year.  He taught school, studying law at the same time, until 1875, when he was admitted to the bar.  He opened an office and commenced practice in Thomson, Georgia, in November, 1876.  He carried on a successful business, and bought land and farmed on an extensive scale.
     Mr. Watson was a delegate to the Democratic state convention of 1880, and was a member of the house of representatives of the legislature of his native state in 1882.  In 1888 he was an elector-at-large on the Cleveland ticket, and in 1890 was elected to represent his district in the fifty-second congress.  This latter election is said to have been due entirely to Mr. Watson's "dashing display of ability, eloquence and popular power."  In his later years he championed the alliance principles and policies until he became a leader in the movement.  In the heated campaign of 1896, Mr. Watson was nominated as the candidate for vice-president on the Bryan ticket by that part of the People's party that would not endorse the nominee for the same position made by the Democratic party.
Source:  Biographical Memoirs of Wyandot Co., Ohio - Published 1902 - Page 178