Senator Clarence Wayland Watson

Clarence Wayland Watson served as a Senator from West Virginia in the United States Congress from 1911 to 1913. A member of the Democratic Party, Clarence Wayland Watson contributed to the legislative process during 1 term in office.

Clarence Wayland Watson’s service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history. As a member of the Senate, Clarence Wayland Watson participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of constituents.

Clarence Wayland Watson (May 8, 1864 – May 24, 1940) was a coal mining “baron” from West Virginia. Watson organized several coal companies that became the Consolidation Coal and Mining Companies in West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Watson was president of the company until 1911, then became its chairman. Later in life, he became President of Elk Horn Coal Company and served as trustee of various corporations, railroads, and banks across the United States. Watson was also elected as a Senator from West Virginia to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Stephen B. Elkins, serving from 1911 to 1913. During World War I he served in the United States Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Ordnance Department, and served in France from 1918 to 1919. While in France he received a nomination for re-election to his Senate seat, but lost the election. He lived in Fairmont in Marion County, on his family’s homestead, an estate named Fairmont Farms, where he bred horses.