Library of Congress

WATSON, Clarence Wayland, a Senator from West Virginia; born in Fairmont, Marion County, W.Va., May 8, 1864; attended the public schools of Marion County; employed in the coal-mining industry and later organized a number of coal companies, serving as president of the Consolidation Coal Co. 1903-1911; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Stephen B. Elkins and served from February 1, 1911, to March 3, 1913; unsuccessful candidate for reelection; commissioned lieutenant colonel in the Ordnance Department of the Army in March 1918 and served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France until January 1919; in 1918, while overseas, was nominated for United States Senator, but was unsuccessful in the election; again president of the Consolidation Coal Co. until 1928; also owned a stock farm and training stables; chairman of the board of directors of the Elk Horn Coal Corporation, later moving to Cincinnati, Ohio; died in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 24, 1940; interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Fairmont, W.Va.