Watters, Lewis K.

WATTERS, HUDNUT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/19/2010 at 21:44:14

The Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) March 4, 1930

CIVIL WAR VETERAN DIES

L.K. Watters, One of Grinnell's Distinguished Citizens, Goes to His Reward.

PASSES AWAY FEB. 23 AT ALHAMBRA, CALIFORNIA.

Had Reached Advanced Age of 87 Years--Will be Buried in Hazelwood.

We are called upon again to record the death of one of our long time friends and worthy citizens, L.K. Watters, who died February 23 at Alhambra, Calif., after an illness of ten days. His age was eighty-seven years.

He came to Grinnell in the early nineties from Nebraska where he had lived for a good many years, and purchased the well known Snow tract at the east edge of the city.

He and his wife had careful and industrious habits and were able to live in comfort. The family scattered and left Mr. and Mrs. Watters almost alone, and for a number of years they have lived chiefly with their sons and daughters, spending their winters a good part of the time in Citronelle, Alabama.

He and Mrs. Watters have visited Grinnell regularly each fall and winter and always found many friends here to give them a cordial greeting.

A short story of his life has been sent us by his sister-in-law, Anna Hudnut.

One of the interesting facts noted in the brief obituary which she sends is that February 11 he and Mrs. Watters celebrated their sixty-first wedding anniversary. A distinction accredited to but few.

Burial will be in Hazelwood cemetery at a later day.

Mrs. Hudnut writes the following story of his life:

Lewis K. Watters passed away Sunday, February 23rd, at his home, 315 north Chapel street, Alhambra, California, after a severe illness of ten days, at the age of 87 years.

Mr. Watters was a member of Company B, Thirty-fifth Iowa regiment G.A.R. He served 3 years in the Civil war. He was a member also of the Methodist church.

Mr. and Mrs. Watters were pioneers of Colfax County, Nebraska. Later moved to Grinnell, Iowa, where their children received advantage of College education. On February 11 they reached their sixty-first wedding anniversary.

Mr. Watters, wife and daughter Dr. Nelle M. Watters have resided in California the last seven months.

He received kind and loving care from his daughter, assisted by the many relatives who are sojourning in the state. His only surviving brother, Dr. P.K. Watters of Watsonville, California, who he had not seen for years visited him in his last sickness.

His remains will rest in the mausolelum in Pasadena for a few months. Interment will be in Hazelwood cemetery, Grinnell, Iowa.

Mrs. L.K. Watters has been in feeble health for the past year and is now seriously ill.