JOHN WATTS, b 18 Aug 1810

WATTS, PIERCE, ASHCROFT, BROTHERS, KELLOGG, GARLAND, OVERHOLT, WELLS

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/28/2005 at 07:06:30

In the person of this honored pioneer of Van Buren Township is presented a finelooking gentleman, somewhat advanced in years, and bearing upon his countenance the reflection of much thought and long experience. He is one of the oldest settlers of Iowa, having coming to this county when few white men had ventured to this part of the Western wilds. Many and great have been the changes which have been going on around him, and in the growth and development of Jackson County, Mr. Watts has played no unimportant part. With the exception of twinges of rheumatism which from time to time assail him, he is usually quite well and hearty, and able to relate many an interesting tale of bygone days. He has had his full share of the trials and difficulties of life in a new settlement, which he encountered with characteristic fortitude and courage, and many a time has lent a helping hand to those less fortunate. He is the owner of a good farm, comprising 301 acres of choice land, and has in store a competence for his declining years.

It may be well before proceeding further to glance at the family history of our subject, and those from he drew his origin. He was born Aug. 18, 1810, in England, and is the son of James and Sarah (Pierce) Watts, who were natives of the same country, where they spent their entire lives, the father engaged in farming. Their family consisted of three children, two sons and one daughter, the latter of whom died young. Their son Robert went to South America. John Watts was a lad of thirteen years when he came with a band of emigrants to Canada, and resided in the Province of Ontario until setting out for the States and the Far West. He entered upon this latter expedition immediately upon the close of the Black Hawk War, and traveled about from place to place on the frontier and along the valleys of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. He also at one time went up as far as Ft. Buffon, in the Yellow Stone country.

Our subject subsequently looked upon Iowa in its territorial days. Fifty-five years ago it presented a far different aspect to the traveler from what it does to-day. Here and there, at remote distances from each other, were scattered the cabins of the adventurous settlers; Indians still roamed over the country, and wild game was plentiful. It afforded little encouragement to a man of common mold, and it required one with abundant faith in the future, to be willing to cast his lot west of the Mississippi in those days. After becoming tired of his wanderings Mr. Watts returned to Canada, but had by no means given up the idea of settling in the West. He imagined that it would be much easier if he had a companion to share his joys and sorrows, together with his labors and hopes, and accordingly, he was married to one of the most estimable young ladies of his acquaintance, Miss Hannah Ashcroft, the wedding taking place in Canada. Mrs. Watts was born in England about 1818, and emigrated with her parents to Canada. The young people spent the first years of their wedded life in the Dominion, then, gathering together their effects, ad bidding their friends adieu, started toward the setting sun. Arriving in Van Buren Township, this county, Mr. Watts took up a claim on section 24, and commenced in earnest the task which lay before him. For a number of years it was a struggle marked with many drawbacks; but as the years passed on these began slowly to melt away. Mr. Watts put up a log house upon his land, and each year, after the season's crops were sowed and planted, he proceeded with the improvement of his property, making fences, setting out trees, and erecting the buildings necessary for his comfort and convenience. He first raised grain, which he conveyed to market by means of ox-teams and labored in this manner before the construction of a railway. This mark of civilization was hailed by the pioneers as the herald of better days, and none rejoiced more than Mr. Watts at the evidence of prosperity which was unquestionably dawning upon the State of his adoption. His first trip was made in 1837, and he effected his permanent settlement here ten years later. In the first mentioned year he visited the unimportant town of St. Louis, and, entering the employ of the Choteau Company, engaged in trading with the Indians, buying from them furs, etc., and operating along the bank of the Missouri. For this purpose they utilized a small steamer named the "Trapper." Mr. Watts chopped wood, fished, and hunted, and at time enjoyed himself hugely. He thus developed into manhood strong of muscle and stout of heart, the typical frontiersman, making little note of hardships and with courage to meet whatever should overtake him. In journeying hither ten years later with his wife, he purchased, at Chicago, a yoke of cattle and a wagon, and in this way proceeded on his way to his new home.

To Mr. and Mrs. Watts there were born six children, the eldest of whom, Sylvester, married Miss Abbie Brothers, is the father of two children, and resides on a farm in Iowa Township; Permelia became the wife of Winfield Kellogg, and died in Van Buren Township in 1888, at the age of forty years, leaving four children - Hannah, Scott, Artemus, and Nina; Melissa married Henry Garland, is a resident of Scranton, Greene County, this State, and the mother of seven children, namely: Robert, Anna, Frank, Pearl, Clyde, and a pair of twins unnamed. Sarah married J. D. Overholt, and died in May, 1883, at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving one child, a son, Ira; Robert married Miss Apama Wells, a very estimable lady, is the father of two children, and resides at the homestead. Their children are Seymour A. and Ralph. John and Lavilla died at the ages of twenty and eighteen years respectively.

Mrs. Hanna (Ashcroft) Watts departed this life at the homestead in the year 1855. She was a most worthy lady and a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Watts contracted a second matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Anna Coon, who died on the 8th of August, 1888. She was a member, as well as her husband, of the Christian Church at Preston. Mr. Watts is now pursuing his journey alone, comforted by the affection of his children and many friends. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson, and since that time has steadfastly adhered to the principles of the Democratic party.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)