Watts, William

WATTS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/3/2021 at 11:47:41

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.476

WILLIAM WATTS
William Watts, deceased, was for many years an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Warren County and was prominently identified with its business interests. He was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania on the 6th of April 1822, and in that locality he grew to manhood, completing his education at Lewisburg College. After leaving school he successfully engaged in teaching for some years. He first came to Iowa in 1848 but afterward returned to the Keystone state and did not locate permanently here until 1853. He continued to engage in teaching in this state for a few years, and then opened a store in Middle River, which he conducted for several years, becoming one of the leading and influential business men of that region.
There Mr. Watts was married February 11, 1880, to Miss Perthena Corzatt, who was born in Warren County, Ohio of which state her parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Corzatt, were also natives. On leaving Ohio, they removed to Indianola, where they made their home for several years, and then returned to Ohio, but in 1852 came to Iowa and settled in Warren County, where Mrs. Watts was reared and educated. She began her married life at Middle River.
In business affairs Mr. Watts steadily prospered, at one time being engaged in the milling business, which he continued for a few years. He became the owner of a number of farms in Polk and Warren Counties, and was also a stockholder in the Warren County Bank with Mr. Buxton for some years and likewise was largely interested in real estate. As a financier he possessed exceptional ability and he usually carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. Politically he affiliated with the Republican Party but never sought nor desired office. He took an active interest in church and Sunday school work, serving as a teacher for some years and he gave liberally to charity, the poor and needy, always finding in him a friend. In fact he never withheld his support from any enterprise which he believed calculated to prove of public benefit. After a useful and well spent life he passed away January 26, 1901, honored and respected by all who knew him.
Mr. and Mrs. Watts had no children of their own but they reared and educated four, including two of Mrs. Watts’ sister’s children: Eunice, who is now the wife of Roland McGlothen, residing with Mrs. Watts, and they have one child, Ruth Lucile, and Miss Clara Cook, who is now in Canada. Mrs. W.O. Hunt also lived with Mrs. Watts until her marriage, and a nephew, Alva Corzatt, still makes his home near her, having charge of her business interests. After the death of her husband she took charge of the business and in the conduct of her affairs has displayed exceptional ability and sound judgment. She has been ably assisted by Mr. Corzatt, who is now her partner in their farming and stock-raising interests. He is married and has three children and resides on a farm near his aunt. She has made some paying investments, including the farm adjoining Carlisle and has built thereon one of the finest residences of the town and also a home for Mr. Corzatt, together with good barns and other outbuildings. The neat and well kept lawn is adorned with beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers and the whole place presents an attractive appearance and indicates the supervision of a progressive and painstaking owner. Since childhood Mrs. Watts has made her home in Warren County and she is both widely and favorably known.