William Watt

As printed in 1885

WILLIAM WATT, merchant, Lafayette, was born in Jackson Township. this county, April 4, 1839, son of William and Elizabeth (Hawk) Watt, early settlers of Allen County, Ohio; the former a native of Brown County, Ohio, and at one time judge of the court, Lima, died in October, 1838, aged forty years; the latter, born in Maysville, Ky., died November 14, 1883, aged eighty-nine years. They were the parents of ten children: John, Susannah, Mary, Sarah, Willis, Elspy, Margaret, Samuel, Eliza J. and William. Our subject remained upon the farm until sixteen years of age. when he entered the employ of Dr. N. Sager, with whom he remained nine years. He was then employed by a Mr. Fisher till 1872, when he formed a partnership with J. W. Umbaugh, and the firm selling out in 1875, Mr. Watt has since conducted the business for his own account, his stock consisting of nearly everything needed by the farming community. The better to accommodate his trade he erected in 1879, a large two-story frame building, with three store-rooms. He also erected, the year previous, a fine brick residence. During the Rebellion he enlisted in Company F, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, in February, 1864, and remained in the service till the close of the war. Our subject was married, June 17, 1860, to Miss Sarah Cloore, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 7, 183S, daughter of Daniel and Thursa (Ewing) Cloore, both deceased. By this union were born five children: Walter, Lulu (wife of Charles Wamsley), Arthur, Pert and Harry. Mr. Watt has been a member of the Christian Church for several years. Politically he is identified with the Democratic party. He has served the township as clerk, and is the present treasurer. He has also held the position of freight, ticket and express agent of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad fourteen years.

As printed in History of Allen County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; hist (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.