John Clinton Watson (January 28, 1878 – May 8, 1970)Former High Court Justice John C. Watson Dies at 92
, ''Albuquerque Journal'' (May 9, 1970), p. 24."Former Justice Watson dies", ''The Santa Fe New Mexican'' (May 8, 1970), p. 1. was a justice of the

New Mexico Supreme Court The New Mexico Supreme Court () is the highest court in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is established and its powers defined by Article VI of the New Mexico Constitution. It is primarily an appellate court which reviews civil and criminal ...

from January 1, 1925 until December 31, 1934, serving as chief justice from 1933 to 1934, before being defeated in his bid for reelection that year. He ran again unsuccessfully in 1936.

Biography

Born near

Alma, Michigan Alma is the largest city in Gratiot County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,488 at the 2020 census. It was incorporated as the Village of Alma in 1872 and became a city in 1905. Alma hosts the annual Highland Festival on Memo ...

, Watson received his undergraduate degree from the

University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...

in 1898, and then attended the

University of Michigan Law School The University of Michigan Law School (branded as Michigan Law) is the law school of the University of Michigan, a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founded in 1859, the school offers Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Comparati ...

before completing his law degree at the

George Washington University Law School The George Washington University Law School (GW Law) is the law school of George Washington University, a Private university, private research university in Washington, D.C. Established in 1865, GW Law is the oldest law school in Washington, D. ...

. He gained admission to the Michigan state bar in 1906, and later moved to New Mexico, gaining admission to the bar of that state in 1911. He served in the First New Mexican Infantry Regiment, "participating in the military operation against Pancho Villa" from 1916 to 1917, and attaining the rank of captain. In 1923, Governor James F. Hinkle appointed Watson to a four-year term on the State Game Commission. Watson ran for a seat on the New Mexico Supreme Court in the 1924 election, winning the Republican nomination to a two-year term in September of that year, and winning the general election in November by a larger margin than most candidates vying for office in that election. Watson was reelected in 1926, and became chief justice in 1933. Watson sought reelection again in 1934, but was defeated by Democratic challenger Charles R. Brice.Judge Brice Receives Election Certificate
, ''The Albuquerque Tribune'' (December 14, 1934), p. 1.

Personal life and death

Watson's son, John T. Watson, also served on the New Mexico Supreme Court. Watson died after a brief illness at the age of 92.

References

1878 births 1970 deaths Justices of the New Mexico Supreme Court University of Michigan Law School alumni George Washington University Law School alumni University of Michigan alumni {{NewMexico-state-judge-stub