[1] In addition to practicing law, Watson became active in the Vermont National Guard; after initially serving as a lieutenant, in 1882 he was elected commander of a company called the Bradford Guards and promoted to captain.

[4] When the Bradford area's 1883 Ely Copper Mine strike turned violent, Watson's company was employed to restore order, and was credited with ending the fighting by capturing the rioters' gunpowder and weapons.

[6] In 1898, Watson was elected to serve as commander of the 1st Vermont Infantry Regiment with the rank of colonel, but declined the position, which closed his military career.

[7] A Republican,[2] Watson served as State's Attorney of Orange County from 1886 to 1888,[1] and was a member of the Vermont Senate from 1892 to 1894.

[4] In 1899, Jonathan Ross resigned as chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court in order to accept appointment as a United States Senator.