An Account of Oakland County / edited by Lillian Drake Avery.

PERSONAL SKETCHES! 435
who was born in Far nmgton township, this county, a daughter of
Samuel and Susan oft) Davis. The Davis family was founded in
Pennsylvania in the colonial period of American history. Mrs. Warner
still maintains her home at Farmington, and all of the four children
likewise survive the honored father: Susan Edessa, Howard Maltby,
Harley Davis, and Helen Rhoda. The sons continue the business established by their father and are well upholding the prestige of the
family name.
Philip J. Watson. That the village of Ferndale, one of the most
modern and attractive in Oakland county, and in a large sense identified with the metropolitan district of Detroit, has grown from a population of about 1,500 to approximately 12,000 within the short period
since it received its village charter, in 1918, marks the place as the
stage of loyal civic progressiveness. Here the firm of Watson &
Hassberger has a place of prominence in real estate and building operations, and controls a substantial and important general real estate
business that contributes materially to the continuous advancement of
the community interests. The interested principals in this firm are
Philip J. Watson and William A. Hassberger. Mr. Watson was born
at Elmer, Sanilac county, Michigan, September 8, 1890, and in the
public schools of that village he acquired his early education, which
was advanced by his course in the high school at Marlette, that county.
As a youth he established his residence in the Michigan metropolis,
and there, during a period of seven years, he had charge of accounts
for the Detroit Butcher Supply Company. In 1919 he wisely cast in
his lot with the newly incorporated village of Ferndale, where he engaged in the real estate and building business, with which line of constructive enterprise he has since continued his association, as one of
the progressive and resourceful young business men of Oakland county.
The present firm of Watson & Hassberger was formed in 1923, and it
now controls a business of broad scope, in the handling of local realty,
acting as rental agents, and in extending loans oh approved real estate
security. Mr. Watson is a director of the Ferndale State Bank, and
that his civic loyalty and liberality have gained him special recognition
is shown in the fact that at the time of this writing, in the winter of
1924-25, he is serving as president of the municipal board of trustees,
or common council, of Ferndale, in which office he is giving a characteristically vigorous and progressive administration, he being, in line of
succession, the fifth to serve as president of the village since its incorporation. Mr. Watson is affiliated with Zion Lodge No. 1, Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons, with the local lodge of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, and is an influential member of the Ferndale
Board of Commerce and the Exchange Club. February 28, 1915, Mr.
Watson wedded Miss Olive E. Thomas, of Kingsville, Ontario, Canada, and their one child, Mabel L., was born in January, 1919.
Edwin M. Weatherhead. Mr. Weatherhead is the proprietor of
the Michigan Printing Company, 8 North Perry street, Pontiac. He
was born in Green Oak, Livingston county, Michigan, April 18, 1874.
His father was Captain William A. Weatherhead, a Civil war veteran