Cyrus Barksdale Watson was born in Stokes County (later became Forsyth County), near Kernersville, in 1845.
His early education was at home, then he attended Kernersville High School. He left the high school to enlist in Company K, Forty-fifth North Carolina Regiment, organized in 1862. He was wounded in battle in Maryland at the Battle of the Wilderness, and quite seriously at Spotsylvania Court House. He was able to join his command in the final charge of Lee’s army at Appomattox.
After the war, he was employed in several businesses, but his wounds limited his physical activity, so he sought employment that did not involve manual labor. He studied the law and was admitted to the bar in 1869.
He worked as a criminal lawyer, and his partners were Robert B. Glenn and later J. C. Buxton. His son, Thomas W. Watson, was also a lawyer and joined his law firm. Cyrus was elected to the State Senate in 1882 and in 1892. He is often referred to as “the father of the good roads movement” for his efforts to construct good roads in North Carolina.
He also represented Forsyth County in the House of Representatives and ran unsuccessfully for governor and for U. S. Senator.
During his lifetime, it was often remarked about Watson that he was a survivor and a fighter, despite all the difficulties and set-backs that came his way. He just kept on going.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
