Son of John & Sarah (Goetschius) Watts. Married firstly to Margaret Chambers, on August 29, 1834, in Franklin County, Ohio. After her death he married Demaris M. Johnson in Franklin County, Ohio, on May 19, 1859.

William was a farmer. He was also a Civil War veteran, 13th OH Volunteer Calvary. He enlisted Feb 11, 1864 and was honorably discharge on Aug 10, 1865. He is buried at the Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, OH, Sec S, Lot 128, South Half.

Centennial Biographical History, Page 85-86
WilliaWilliam was a farmer. He was also a Civil War veteran, 13th OH Volunteer Calvary. He enlisted Feb 11, 1864 and was honorably discharge on Aug 10, 1865. He is buried at the Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, OH, Sec S, Lot 128, South Half.m Watts, one of the pioneer residents of Franklin County, OH, was born upon a farm near where he now resides, March 2, 1818, and was the son of John Watts, who was born near Albany, NY. He was married there to Sarah Goetschius, and they came to Franklin county, OH, in 1812. Then all the land was cheap in this county, John Watts being offered at that time the land upon which the city of Columbus is now built for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. With his family he settled in the heart of the woods, built a log cabin and engaged in the clearing of the land. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and always lived an exemplary life, his death occurring from the kick of a horse. His wife survived him until about the age of fifty years, when she died of consumption, leaving five children--Nicholas, William, Hiram, Sarah and Catherine.

William Watts was four years of age when he was so unfortunate as to lose the care of his father, but as soon as able he endeavored to assist his mother, working for neighbors, and he also tried to save some money with which to pay for his education, the schools of that period being subscription schools. Eight dollars a month was paid him for his first attempt, the greater part of this being put aside, which finally amounted to enough to enable him to purchase fifty acres of land. Soon afterward he purchased thirty acres more, making a farm which he was able to sell for a good price. He then moved to his present farm, consisted of one hundred acres, which is now valued at one hundred and fifty dollars an acre. He has been very successful in his farming operations and the land shows a fine state of cultivation.

Mr. Watts was first married to Margaret Chambers of Franklin township, and eleven children were born to them, a record of whom is given upon another page of this work. For his second wife, Mr. Watts married Demaris Johnson, and six children have been born of this union. Frank, who is a farmer and dairyman in this township, Edward, who is a motorman on a street railway in Columbus; Lester, who is also engaged in the dairy business; Nettie, who is the wife of Charles Holt, a dairyman; and Chester and Harry, who died when young.

Mr. Watts is an intelligent man who takes a great interest in the absorbing questions now agitating the political world. He was a Whig until the formation of the Republican Party, since which time his affiliations have been with it. He has served many times on the grand jury, has been trustee of his township and has also held the office of supervisor. Both he and his family are consistent members of the Methodist church, in which he takes a deep interest. He is well known through the county which has been his home for so many years and he possesses the respect of all.
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Affidavit, State of OH, Franklin County: William Watts being sworn says that he is a son of John Watts deceased, who was at the time of his death the owner of survey No. 1454 in Johnson and Franklin Townships, Franklin County, OH; that said John Watts left surviving him at his decease eight children his only heirs at law as follows:
I. Nicholas Watts
2. Maria Godman, wife of Otho Godman.
3. Joseph Watts
4. William Watts, this affiant
5. Hiram Watts
6. John Watts
7 Sarah Hunter, wife of Return I. Hunter
8. Catherine Watts, who married one Hatsel Ranney subsequent to the conveyance by her to Benedict House of her interest to her father's estate.
Affiant further says that his father John Watts was at the time of his death a widower.
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1840 US Census, Franklin Township, Franklin County, OH, lists William Watts, age 20-30 (1810-1820), wife (Margaret Chambers), age 20-30 (1810-1820), and two children (Sarah and Elizabeth) under 5 (1835-1840). Residing near them are E. Alkire, S. Johnson, G. Goldsmith, A. White, Thos. Harper, G.W. Alkire, A. Alkire, E. Chambers, John Briggs, and G. Briggs.

1850 US Census, Franklin Township, Franklin County, OH, lists William Watts, age 35, was a farmer, born in OH; Margeret, age 34, born in VA; Sarah A., age 15; Elizabeth, age 12; Amanda, age 10; John , age 8; Albert, age 6; William, age 3; Elisha, age 1. All the children were born in OH.
1851-1860 Franklin County, OH Marriages, County Court Records located at Columbus, OH. Family History Library film # (0285143 - 0285144): William Watts and Demaris Johnson, married 19 May 1859.

1870 US Census, Franklin Township, Franklin County, OH, lists William Watts, age 52, a farmer, residing with his wife, Damaris, age 31, and children Milton, age 19, works on the farm; Joseph, age 14, at school; Jane, age 17, at school; Frank S., age, 5 and Edgar, age 2. This census shows him residing next to his parents-in-law, Chester and Elizabeth (Altman) Johnson. Also residing near him is Adam and Elizabeth (Watts) White, Hiram and Isabella White, George White (widowed), Weeden and Mary Ann (Ward) White, Milton White, and Nathan and Sarah Jane (Chenoweth) Gantz.

1880 US Census, Franklin, Franklin County, OH, lists William Watts, age 62, a farmer, was residing with his wife, Mary D (Demaris), age 40; Frank, age 16; Edgar, age 18; Lester, age 9, Nettie, age 8; and a cousin Eliza Johnson, age 19, working as a servant at the house. Census also shows him residing next to his son from his first marriage to Margaret Chambers, Milton Watts.

1900 US Census, Franklin, Franklin County, OH, lists William Watts was residing in Franklin County with his wife, Demaris and 6 year old granddaughter, Gertrude Holt, the child of Charles and Nettie Irene (Watts) Holt. Census shows William Watts was 82 years old and Demaris was 57 at the time of this census and they had been married for 41 years. Census also shows that William was born in OH and both his parents were born in New York. Demaris Johnson was born in OH and both of her parents were born in OH. Williams occupation at this time was a farmer. This census also showed his son, Frank E. Watts, resided near him.