WATSON, Edmund (1856-1947) was active as an architect and builder in Carman, Manitoba from 1888 until after 1930. Born in Lisburn, Ireland on 10 July 1856 he was said to have been 'educated at Trinity College, Dublin' where he received a Gold Medal in architectural studies, but records at Trinity College cannot substantiate this claim. He emigrated to Canada in 1882 and worked briefly in Winnipeg and Brandon as a carpenter, and in 1888 was asked by his brother Johnston Watson of Carman, Manitoba to move to that town and undertake the design and construction of his new residence. He made many plans for buildings in Carman from 1890 onward, and also acted as the builder for these works. He frequently advertised his services as architect in the Dufferin Leader [Carman], and the Carman Standard of 3 November 1892 lists some of his works erected there during that year. His designs include St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Carman (1899), and The Sons of England Block, Carman (c. 1900; burned c. 1974). He also designed many of the country schools in small communities near Carman such as Orr, Pomeroy, Rosebank, Forrest and Lintrathen, Manitoba, as well as several private houses on Hammond Street in Carman. Watson died in Carman on 2 October 1947 and was buried there at Greenwood Cemetery (obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 6 Oct. 1947, 7; inf. Mrs. June M. Watson, Homewood, Man.)
CARMAN, MAN., St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 1898 (Carman Standard, 10 Feb. 1899, 1, descrip.; Manitoba, A Study of the Church Buildings in Manitoba, 1987, 82, illus.)
STEPHENFIELD, MAN., Public School, 1906 (C.R., xvii, 25 July 1906, 2)
CARMAN, MAN., The Sons of England, Block, a commercial block on Villiard Street, c. 1900; burned c. 1974