Francis M. Watts
SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: REDMOND, TRACY, WATTS
FRANCIS M. WATTS, who is pursuing the even tenor of his way as the leading merchant of the village of Ivesdale, in Sadorus Township, established in business there in the spring of 1881, and has built up a good trade in general merchandise, having among his patrons the best people of his community. He first appeared upon the stage of action in Perry County, Ohio, Nov. 13, 1844, and was the second in a family of seven children born to Charles and Elizabeth (TRACY) WATTS, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Maryland. They followed farming in a modest manner in the Buckeye State, and Francis M. rematined a member of the parental household until the outbreak of the late Rebellion.
When a little over nineteen years of age our subject enlisted, Feb. 18, 1864, as a soldier of the Union Army, becoming a member of Co. G, 76th Ohio Vol. Inf., which was assigned to the 1st brigade in the 1st division of the 15th Army Corps, under command of Capt. Stewart, and proceeded to the South, where the troops entered upon the continuous struggle which succeeded from that time until the fall of Atlanta. Young Watts, with his comrades, joined in the march with Sherman to Savannah, where he remained during the winter on provost duty. In the spring his regiment moved out and followed the line of Sherman’s march to Columbia, S. C., where our subject served in a similar capacity during the siege of that city. From there they proceeded to Bentonville and engaged in the last fight of the Union troops with Gen. Joe Johnson, during which he surrendered, and upon which closely followed the final capitulation of the rebels generally. Mr. Watts, with his command, proceeded to Washington and participated in the grand review, after which his regiment was transferred by rail to Louisville, Ky., where they remained until the 12th of July, 1865, when they received their honorable discharge and were mustered out.
Our subject during his seventeen months of army life came out without receiving a scratch, and returning to his home in the Buckeye State, remained there until the fall of 1868. He then came to this State, locating first in Piatt County, where he followed farming on rented land until 1874; afterward he purchased eighty acres, and soon by a series of circumstances was induced to change his location and occupation. Coming to Ivesdale, this county, he learned telegraphy, and was agent on the Wabash road for a period of eight years. From that position he drifted into mercantile business, which he followed in Ivesdale two years, and then selling out, went to Kansas, with the design of locating there and following the same vocation. Failing to find anything desirable he returned as far east as Indiana, and engaged in the grocery trade at Kokomo. A year later he sold out there and returned to Ivesdale, where he has since remained. He carries a stock of groceries and the lighter articles required about the farm and household, and by his correct business methods has built up a flourishing trade. Most of his time has been spent strictly attending to his own affairs, as he finds this the easiest method of getting on. Although reasonably anxious that the Republican party should have the management of National affairs, and those of importance nearer home, he takes no further part in its deliberation than to cast his vote at the general election.
The wife of our subject, to whom he was married Jan. 28, 1876, was formerly Miss Angeline B., eldest child of Robert and Catherine REDMOND, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Watts was born near Indianapolis, Ind., in 1855, and there spent the greater part of her childhood and youth. Of her union with our subject there were born two sons—Charles B. and Francis Joseph. The former died during their trip to the West, Mr. and Mrs. Watts are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and enjoy the association of a large circle of friends.