Gerald Maurice Watson (1917-2007) was born and raised in Hazleton, Iowa, where he attended Hazleton High School. He received his B.S. (1942) from Iowa State College (University) in general engineering. After graduating, he served in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War. This collection contains a diary (1932) written when Watson was 15 and living in Hazleton, Iowa. The diary contains brief entries detailing his daily activities, local events, and weather.

Gerald Maurice Watson was born October 13, 1917, in Hazleton, Iowa, to Tim and Clare (Folmer) Watson. He attended Hazleton High School and later received his B.S. (1942) from Iowa State College (University) in general engineering. Watson joined the Army ROTC program during college and served in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War. He was active in the army and reserves for over 25 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He worked for 30 years as a supervisory engineer for the National Board of Fire Underwriters in New York City. Watson was married to Jean Graiff (d. 1993) and had two stepsons, Ronald and Robert Graiff. He died May 30, 2007, in Hillsborough, New Jersey.

This collection contains a diary for the year 1932, when Watson was 15 and living in Hazleton, Iowa. The diary contains brief entries detailing his daily activities, such as chores, hobbies, schoolwork, and visits; local events, such as sports games, fires, and local deaths; and weather. He also notes events of national interest, such as the kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh’s son and the death of John Philip Sousa. Two news clippings are included in the diary: one listing local sports scores, and the other marking the anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s flight. At the back of the volume, there is a partial listing of cash purchases.