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1907 Past and Present Biographies

T. R. Watts

T. R. Watts, cashier of the CitizensBank of Grand Junction, has devoted the most of his life to the banking business and is well known in financial circles in Greene county and this part of the state. A native of Highland county, Ohio, he was born June 14, 1873, and is a son of R. R. and Mary Ellen Watts, who were also born in the Buckeye state and are now living in Highland county, where the father, for many years, carried on merchandising but is now living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.

In his early boyhood T. R. Watts was a public-school student and later entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, where he completed his education. At the age of sixteen years he turned his attention to merchandising and continued in that line of business for a year and a half. He then secured a situation in a bank in his native county, where he thoroughly acquainted himself with the banking business in all its departments. In September, 1898, he came to Greene county, Iowa, and assisted in the organization of the Citizens Bank at Grand Junction, at which time Captain Albert Head became president and T. R. Watts, cashier. In 1906 Mahlon Head succeeded to the presidency and Mr. Watts retains the position which he has now held for nine years. This is a private bank, capitalized for twenty-five thousand dollars, with annual deposits of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. A general banking business is conducted and the business has constantly increased from the beginning, showing the high position which the institution has attained in the public trust and confidence. Its success is attributable in large measure to the close application, comprehensive knowledge of banking and the courteous treatment of the cashier, who is popular with the patrons and has the full trust of the business public.

On the 18th of September, 1901, Mr. Watts was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Head, a daughter of Mahlon Head, of Jefferson, Iowa. They have an adopted son, John Head Watts. Theirs is a beautiful home in Grand Junction and in addition to this property and his banking interests, Mr. Watts is interested in an alfalfa ranch in southwestern Kansas. His political allegiance is given the republican party and he is in hearty sympathy with its principles but though often solicited to do so he has steadily refused to accept oflice, preferring to do his public service as a private citizen. He belongs to the Masonic lodge and is a popular citizen, whose geniality and deference for the opinions of others have gained him an extensive circle of friends during the years of his residence in Greene county.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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