C.A. Watson, superintendent for the Detour Lumber and Cedar Company, who are successors to the Island Cedar Company, is one of the guiding spirits in the conduct of the immense business of this conceern, and also figures prominently as one of the leading citizens of Detour. He became connected with the Island Cedar Company in 1876, when the plant was located on Drummond Island, at Scammon cove. After exhausting the supply of timber within reach of the mill it was decided to remove it to Detour, whither they came in 1892. They handle great quantities of telegraph poles and posts, and manufacture lumber, shingles, and railroad ties. It was in 1894 that the Detour Lumber and Cedar Company succeeded the Island Cedar Company. It is capitalized at $125,000, and Mr. Watson is one of the heavy stockholders. From thia brief reference to one of the important enterprises of Detour, we turn for a personal history of its efficient asiperintendent.

C. A. Watson dates his birth in Durham county, Ontario, Canada, August15, 1855 and was reared in Kent county, that province, his parents being David R. and Sarah (Scarf) Watson. David R. Watson, also a native of Dnrham county, Canada, is a sun of English parents, and is now sixty-five years of age. His occupation is that of farming, and in connection with this occupation be also carries on merchandising on his farm, keeping his store partly as a community convenience. Of his wife, Sarah, we further record that she ia a daughter of Joseph Scarf, and that she, too, is of English descent. His father, a farmer, Mr. C. A. Watson, familiarly known as Clark, was brought up to know something of farm work. He is an only child. At the age of sixteen he left home and entered the employ of the American -Express Company in Cbatham, Canada, and remained thus occupied for a time. Next he went down to Georgian Bay and bought and shipped lumber for three years, and following that came his connection with the Island Cedar Company.

Mr. Watson has been a figure in politics ever since he came to be a citizen, allying himself with the Democratic party. He was Supervisor from Drummond island for six years, a portion of that time being chairman of the Board. He is now serving his first term as Supervisor of Detour township, and is the newly elected chairman of the Board of Supervisors; was Postmaster of Scammon Cove aix years, and is Postmaster of Detour at this writing, having received his appointment as such in the fall of 1893. Fraternally, Mr. Watson is identified with the F. & A. H.

He has been twice married. In May, 1880, in Chatham, Ontario, he wedded Louise Newberry, daughter of William Newberry, and her untimely death occurred in 1892. She left three children, Edna, Mabel and Harve. Mr. Watson’s second marriage occurred in Detour, June 18, 1894 the lady of his choice being Miss Violet Sims, daughter of the well-known and highly respected pioneer, Thomas Sims. They have a little daughter, Maud, born April, 1895.

From the "Northern Peninsula of Michigan 1895"