Past and Present of Fountain and Warren Counties, Indiana. Indianapolis, Indiana: BF
Bowen, 1913 p. 360 -- David A. WATTS -- One of the best remembered men of the past
generation in Fountain County, Indiana whose memory is revered by a host of friends and
acquaintances among whom he labored, was the late David A. Watts, who spent his energies
through a life of strenuous endeavor to make the most of his opportunities as to assist as
best he could his neighbors and friends to improve their condition. In all the relations
of life he proved signally true to every trust. He possessed a sociable nature and by his
genial and kindly attitude to those about him he won the respect and confidence of
everyone. He was known as a careful and able business man and one whose integrity of
purpose was beyond question. David A. Watts was born on the farm where he spent his life
in Mill Creek Township, Fountain County, Indiana January 8, 1850. His father, James Watts
was born Oct 18, 1824 in Scioto County, Ohio son of David and Sarah (Backus) Watts both
Pennsylvanians. His mother, whose maiden name was Margaret A. Sowers was born in North
Carolina, Dec 24, 1826, and when 11 was brought by her parents to Fountain County. After
marriage James Watts lived two years in Parke County and in 1850 moved to Fountain County
where eventually he became the owner of 320 acres of good land. He was a cooper by trade,
which he carried on in connection with farming and worked at that trade many a night till
late hours. To him and his wife were born six children, namely: Melissa A, David A,
Solomon V, Mary C. and Susan V. James Watts was a Whig until 1856 and afterwards a
Democrat. Religiously, he was a member of the Christian Church and fraternally, a Mason.
As a result of his continual labor, good management and economy he became well-to-do and
enjoyed to a marked degree the confidence of the community. The Watts family is of Scotch
descent, the great grandfather, David Watts, having been born in Scotland, emigrating to
the US and settling in PA. David A. Watts secured a good practical education, having
secured his elementary learning in the common schools, after which he became a student in
the Valparaiso Business University, but, because of the illness of a brother, he found it
impossible to complete the full course there. He returned home and from that time on he
devoted himself assiduously to the vocation of farming and stock raising, in which he met
with a very gratifying measure of success. As a farmer he was energetic and practical in
his methods, being generally looked upon as one of the best farmers in his section of the
county. He was a splendid judge of live stock, in the raising and handling of which he
was more than ordinarily successful. At the time of his death, which occurred at his home
in Mill Creek on July 28, 1886, he owned 242 acres of as good land as could be found in
the township, it being well improved and very productive, Mr. Watts being progressive and
up-to-date in his methods at cultivation. On March 10, 1880, Mr. Watts was united in
marriage with Mary E. Ewbank, the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Ratcliff Ewbank. Her
paternal grandfather came from England over 100 years ago and settled on Tanner's
Creek, Dearborn County. Subsequently he moved to Parke County and settled near
Russell's Mills where he died. He spent his life in the pursuit of farming. Jacob
Ewbank settled about three miles east of the present site of Kingman, where he followed
farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Watts were born two children, namely: the first born died in
infancy; Elizabeth who remains at home with her mother, completed the common school course
and is also well-educated in music. Politically, David Watts was a stanch Democrat and was
interested in the he success of his party, but he never aspired to public office. His
religious connection was with the New Light branch of the Christian Church in which he was
active,taking a part in the work of the Sunday School, in which he was a teacher.
Fraternally, he was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons and in his daily life he
exemplified the sublime precepts of that time-honored order. Mr. Watts was a man of more
than ordinary mental acumen, being a close reader and a wide observer. He had traveled
much and was well informed on a wide range of topics. being a splendid conversationalist
and interesting companion. His early life having been spent in close touch with nature on
the farm, was conducive to well-rounded physical development and accustomed to habits of
industry from childhood, he grew up with well defined ideas of life, its duties and
responsibilities. He was a man of fine sensibilities and a high sense of justice and
honor, it being his aim to be on the right side of every question with which he had
anything to do. Broad-minded, public-spirited an taking liberal views of men and affairs,
he impressed his individuality upon the community as an enterprising, large-hearted,
progressive American citizen of the best type, while among his immediate friends he will
always be remembered as a man without pretense and a courteous gentleman whose integrity
would bear the closest scrutiny.