Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 824
LOUIS K. WATTERS

A substantial citizen of Missouri Valley, Iowa, who has made his home here since 1887 is Louis K. Watters, foreman of the Chicago & Northwestern tin shops in this city. He is a man who has made his way in life since a mere youth. As a matter of fact, when he was only eight years of age, he was working in a woolen factory in Fulton, New York, making clothes for the soldiers in the Civil War. When sixteen years of age, he began to learn the tinner's trade and has made this his chosen life work. His ability along this line was such that when he was twenty-one yars of age, he received an appointment from a railroad company in Michigan and worked with them until he came to Iowa. Here his work was soon recognized, and he was made foreman of the shops, a position which he has held for many years.

Louis K. WATTERS, the son of James and Maria (CONVERSE) WATTERS, was born in Fulton, Oswego county, NY, January 31, 1854. His father was born at Brooklyn, New York, and his mother in Albany, of the same state. His father was a shoemaker and also operated a store. In 1866 the family moved to Flint, Michigan, where James Watters lived until his death a few years ago. His wife died there about 28 years ago. Ten children were born to James Watters and wife, seven of whom are living.

Louis K. Watters was 12 years of age when his parents removed to Flint, Michigan, and he had little opportunity for schooling, and as has been stated, began to work when he was only eight years of age. After removing to Flint with his parents, he went to work in a lath mill, and on December 5, 1870, began to learn the tinner's trade. He worked at Flint, Michigan, learning the trade until 1875. In that year, he began to work at Muskegon, Michigan, for the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad, remaining with that company until January 31, 1887. He then moved to Missouri Valley, Iowa, and began to work in the Chicago & Northwestern shops. Soon after locating here, he was made foreman of the tin shops, and he has retained this position ever since.

Mr. WATTERS was married on September 5, 1874, to Eliza BURGESS, who was born in Bennington, Michigan. The two children born to this union are both deceased, Harriett and William.

Mr. WATTERS is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has always given his hearty support to the Republican party, but has never taken an active part in political matters. Mr. and Mrs. WATTERS have a handsome home in the city, and they are highly esteemed by everyone with whom they are acquainted.

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