Maria Jane Mosher Watts, daughter of Alonzo and Martha Ratliff Mosher, was born April 12, 1869 near Salem, Henry Co. Iowa. She was the fifth child of a family of ten children. She attended the rural schools near her home and later Whittier College and Howe's Academy for teacher training. After finishing her formal education she taught school for several years in Iowa.
She was united in marriage with George W. Watts, January 2, 1894, and they established their home on an adjoining Iowa farm, where they lived until 1916 when they moved to their present home, seven miles southeast of Yates Center, Kansas.
To this union were born six children. Arthur Alonzo and Doris E. preceded their mother in death. Mr. & Mrs. Watts transferred their church letters from the Salem Congregational Church to the First Presbyterian Church in Yates Center. Their family grew up in the local church and continue their mother's faithfulness. She was always interested in community and school work and activities and genuinely loyal to her church.
She is survived by her husband of the home, one brother, Amos Mosher of Olathe, Colorado; two sisters, Mrs. Eva Barton and Mrs. Clara Barton of Salem, Iowa, three sons, Robert L. and Lawrence of Woodson CO. and Max of Humboldt, KS, one daughter, Mrs. Melvin Shook of Hamilton, KS; fifteen grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, many faithful neighbors and a host of friends. She will be greatly missed not only by her family, but also by her church and all who knew her.
Funeral services were held from the First Presbyterian Church, Tuesday afternoon, May 2, at 2 o'clock with the Rev. Dow Pinkston officiating. Charles Carpenter, soloist, sang "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" and "Rock of Ages". He was accompanied at the organ by Mrs. Walter Beine. Casketbearers were Allen Watts, Herbert Watts, Lorel Watts, Gale Watts, Lyle Watts, and Jim Watts. Burial in Kalida Cemetery.
Relatives from a distance attending the funeral service of Mrs. George Watts were Mr. & Mrs. John Finlay, Pittsburgh, PA; Mrs. Wilma Nafus, Kaylyn, Kevin, St. Paul, MINN; Herbert Watts, Lake Jackson, TX; Mr. & Mrs. Allen Watts, Downs, KS; Mrs. Earl Brain, Hedrick, IA; H. Bruce Watts, Ottumwa, IA:
Mrs. Eva Barton. Salem, IA; Mrs. Alta Parks, Salem, IA; Mrs. Goldie Watts, Salem, IA; Mrs. Lyle Forsyth, Beatrice, NE; Mr. & Mrs. Harold Masden, Ardmore, OK; Lorel Watts, Wichita, KS; Mr. & Mrs. Max Watts & Juanita, Humboldt, KS; Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Shook, Hamilton, KS; Mr. & Mrs. Ron Thompson and Cathy, Erie, KS; Mr. & Mrs. Gale Watts and family, Gridley KS.