R. B. F. Watrons. – No man in Redlands is more worthy of mention in a work of this kind than is B. F. Watrons, M. D. He came to Redlands with $350, with which he bought a team and went to work. He had previously contracted for ten acres of land for $1,000, and had paid $250 down. He began improving it the second year and put up a $400 house. He afterward bought ten acres more for $1,500 and borrowed money for the first payment. In five years he had bought and paid for thirty-one acres in Redlands and twenty in San Diego County. Since then he has bought and sold in this and also in San Diego County, and is recognized as one of Redlands most enterprising and prosperous citizens. He was born in Cortland County, New York. He received his literary education at Homer Academy and his medical education at the Pennsylvania University, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1870. He at once commenced the practice of medicine in Ithaca, where he remained six years; he then went to Rochester, where he remained two years. Then he went to Brodhead, Wisconsin, and from that place came to California.
Dr. Watrons was Second Sergeant in the Seventy-sixth Regiment New York Volunteers, and rendered his country good service at the battles of Fredericksburg, South Mountain, Antietam, Bull Run and the Wilderness. Since coming to California he has given up his profession, and has given his entire time and attention to horticulture and to making a home in the beautiful, healthful and enterprising city of Redlands.
