Mr. Van S. Watson, III

Mr. Van S. Watson, Jr. was a prominent Rocky Mount businessman who also made many significant contributions to agriculture. He was born in Nash County, the son of the late Van S. Watson and Ruth Benedict Watson. His father served as the mayor of Rocky Mount and also as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly, both in the House and the Senate representing Nash County. After graduating from the local schools, Van Watson, Jr. attended Oak Ridge Military Institute and then received a degree in plant breeding from NC State. Mr. Watson became affiliated with Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and maintained his office on Sunset Avenue. Representing NC State, he won the International Crop-Judging Contest in Chicago in 1937, where his grade of 98.9% still stands today. At NC State, he was involved in the first hybrid corn breeding program in North Carolina. He served in the army during WWII in the Quartermaster Corps in the South African and European theaters. He was a member and former director of the Kiwanis Club and had been active with the NC Wesleyan College Foundation. He was also a charter member of Troop 7 at the First Presbyterian Church.