The subject of this sketch is recognized as one of the leading citizens
of Centralia, where he is known by all as a business man of unusual ability,
a man of progressive ideas and at all times ready to do his part in
furthering any interest for the public good.
Edwin L. Watts was born
in Clinton county, five miles west of Centralia, on a farm, November 11,
1873, the son of William M. and Martha (Short) Watts, both natives of
Illinois, in whose family there were five children, two boys and three
girls, Edwin L., our subject, being the youngest in order of birth.
Our subject received his early education in the common schools of his native
community, having applied himself in a careful manner and gained a good
education which has later been added to by home reading, and by coming in
contact with the world. He devoted his life to farming up to 1904, having
been prosperous at this line of work, laying up from year to year a
competence and making a comfortable living. But believing that larger
interests were to be found in Centralia, he came to this city and entered
the livery business in which he was very successful for a period of two
years, at the end of which he went into the implement business, having been
associated with J. D. Breeze since 1906, the firm being Breeze & Watts,
their well known place of business being 321 South Locust street, Centralia.
They handle a full line of implements, vehicles, harness, buggies, wagons,
drills, seeders, corn shellers and they deal in general stock on a large
scale. Their store is always filled with customers and is one of the busiest
places of its kind in Centralia. Before coming to Centralia, our subject
served as Assessor of Raccoon township in a very creditable and acceptable
manner for one year, during which time the interests of the township were as
carefully looked after as if they had been his individual business.
Mr. Watts was united in marriage to Mary Patton, November 20, 1895. She is
the daughter of T. A. and Lena (Smith) Patton, a well known and influential
family of this county.
Mr. Watts' comfortable and cheerful home has
been brightened by the presence of the following children: William R., Lenna
F., Ruby R., all bright children and making good grades in the local
schools.
Mr. Watts is a genial and most companionable gentleman and
has many warm and admiring friends among the residents of his adopted city
as well as in the township where he lived so long, and the high regard in
which he is held not only in business but socially indicates the possession
of attributes and characteristics that fully entitle him to the respect and
consideration of his fellow men.
Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 588-589.