Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 617 - 618

HUGH R. WATT, a representative farmer and stock-raiser of Ninnescah Township, is actively engaged in his profitable occupation on his homestead, on the southeast quarter of section 9, where his energetic labors in developing the raw prairie into a well cultivated, productive farm, have met with due reward.

            A native of Mifflin County, Pa., Mr. Watt was born July 18, 1852, being a son of Andrew and Sarah (Rudey) Watt, both natives of that State. Hugh Watt, his paternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to America sometime previous to the opening of this century and settled in Pennsylvania. His maternal grandparents were born in Germany, and also came to this country in the latter part of the eighteenth century. To the parents of our subject were born five children, four of whom are now living, namely: Maggie, Hugh R., Bessie R. and John. Maggie is the wife of William Likely, of Illinois Township, this county; Bessie married O. R. Culver, of Ninnescah Township; John lives in Mercer County, Ill.

            The subject of this sketch was early left an orphan, his mother dying when he was only four years old, and his father six years later, thus leaving him at an age when be most needed the tender care and protection of a mother's love, and the wise restraint and judicious counsel of a father. He found a home with his paternal uncle, James Watt, in Center County, Pa., with whom he remained until the spring of 1870, when a desire for independence led him to seek a home in a Western State, where he thought the chances were more favorable for a laboring man to improve his condition. Accordingly he removed to Mercer County, Ill., where he remained two years; then, attracted by the reported fertility of the Kansas soil, its fine climate and cheapness of land, he removed in 1872 to this county, and in March, 1874, pre-empted the land which he now owns and occupies. It was then in its virgin state, not a furrow having been turned, but under the good management, perseverance and skill of Mr. Watt, it has been transformed into a beautiful farm, whose well cultivated fields, fine orchard, and neat and commodious buildings bear testimony to his industry.

            Mr. Watt was married, Dec. 26, 1875, to Miss Belle Webster, a native of Henry County, Iowa, who was born Aug. 24, 1857. Her parents, Evan and Sarah J. (Palmer) Webster, now living in Jackson County, Kan., are natives respectively of Perry County and Zanesville, Ohio. Her father is of English descent and her mother of German. Some of her ancestors on both sides of the house were participants in the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Webster removed from their native State to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1850, and thirty years later to their present home in Kansas. To them have been born ten children, and the following is the record of those living besides Mrs. Watt: Henrietta, Flora F., Kate, Harry C.; Joseph W. lives in Wyoming Territory; Amelia married. M. H. Bruce, of Wichita, Kan., ex-Superintendent of the Sedgwick County schools; Henrietta is now Mrs. Dirlam; Flora F. is the wife of R. W. Morgan, of Jackson County, Kan.; Kate married Charles Hinnen, of Jackson County; Harry C. lives in Jackson County; Sarah died in infancy; Daniel died in Wichita, Kan., in 1885, aged thirty-nine years.

            Our subject is a prominent citizen of the township where he resides, and uses his influence to advance its welfare and to increase its moral and intellectual status. He has served with ability in many of the important offices of the township. and in the fall of 1879 was elected Sheriff of this county, serving and being re-elected in 1881, making four years of continuous service in an office which he filled with credit to himself and his constituents. In politics Mr. Watt is a true Republican, heartily supporting the principles of that party.

            The union of Mr. and Mrs. Watt has been blessed with two children: Howard V., born Nov. 9, 1876, and Daniel Leroy, March 9, 1885. To such people as our subject and his worthy wife are the citizens of Sedgwick County and the neighboring region of the State indebted for their present prosperity. These pioneers came to the county in the early days of its settlement, and endured the hardships and privations incidental to life in a newly settled country, but by their patient endurance, persistent and energetic labors, they not only established their own prosperity, but greatly aided in the development of the country. Socially, Mr. Watt is a member of the Kansas Benevolent Association and of Wichita Lodge, K. of H.

            A handsome lithographic view of Mr. Watt's home is shown on another page.

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