Dr. C. F. Watts, 1890 - 1972

WATTS

Posted By: LaVerna K. Moser (email)
Date: 5/2/2009 at 19:24:11

MARENGO PIONEER REPUBLICAN 04 JANUARY 1973
C. R. WATTS, 82, LONGTIME DOCTOR DIES AT MARENGO
Dr. C. F. Watts, 82, who retired last year after practicing medicine in Millersburg, Williamsburg and Marengo since 1918, died Sunday night, December 31, 1972, at his home in Marengo. Born in Kentucky, he received BA, BS and MA degrees from Kingswood College and was graduated from the University of Chicago and Rush Medical School in 1917. A chance meeting with another doctor in Chicago in 1918 led to his coming to Iowa. He met a doctor from Millersburg who was leaving his practice to service during World War I. Dr. Watts came out to Millersburg "to look the situation over" and stayed. He practiced a year in Millersburg, and then moved to Williamsburg where he practiced medicine and operated Watts hospital for 18 years. He went west to Cheyenne for two years, but returned to Iowa in 1939, establishing a practice in Marengo in 1940. In the early 1950's Dr. Watts donated land for the Marengo Memorial Hospital, which opened in 1956. He was active in community affairs and was president of the Chamber of Commerce for three years. He was president of the staff of the Marengo Hospital until he retired and was active on the staffs of Cedar Rapids' two hospitals. Dr. Watts bred American Saddle horses for years as a hobby. His stable of registered American Saddle horses was one of the largest in the U.S. He received the "Hall of Frame" in 1970 for his interest in better horses and the effort to bring better breeding to the state. Survivors include his wife, Vivian L. Watts, three sons, Dr. Campbell Watts of Cedar Rapids, J. Douglas of Iowa City, and Richard of Nevada; and one daughter, Brooksie Anna of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.