David B. Watt
The occupation to which he was reared David B. Watt has made his life work, for he is still following farming and stock-raising in Xenia township, owning a valuable tract of land of one hundred and fifty acres on the Jamestown pike, the rich fields, highly cultivated, bringing to him a good return for his labor.
Mr. Watt was born in this township, February 21, 1855, and is of Scotch descent. His parents, William and Sarah G. (Carruthers) Watt, were both natives of Scotland, and the former having spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native land, came to the United States when twenty-one years of age, spending a short time in New York city, where he worked at the carpenter's trade, which he had learned in the land of his birth. Continuing his westward journey he established his home in Bainbridge, Ohio, where he followed carpentering and building until 1849, when he came to Greene County, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in Xenia township. He purchased the farm of one hundred acres upon which our subject was born, and to that property he added from time to time. After some years he removed to Cedarville township, where he bought a tract of land upon which he remained for twenty-three years, when he retired from active business life and removed to Xenia, there to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. He took up his abode there about 1884 and his death there occurred on the 6th of June, 1894, when he was seventy-nine years of age. Throughout the greater part of his active business life he had followed general farming and stock-raising and had prospered in his undertakings. Truly a self-made man, he came to this country with nothing but the tools which enabled him to work at carpentering, and as the years passed his industry and enterprise brought to him a very gratifying competence. A Republican in politics, he took a deep interest in the growth and success of his party, doing all in his power to promote its advancement. About 1874 he was elected and served as county commissioner. In early life he was identified with the Whig party. Long a consistent Christian, holding membership in the Presbyterian church, for many years he served as one of its elders. He was laid to rest in Woodland cemetery, at Xenia, and his wife, surviving him about two years, passed away June 9, 1896, and was then laid by his side. She was in her seventy-ninth year at the time of her death. Before her marriage she was a member of the United Presbyterian church, but afterward placed her membership in the church to which her husband belonged. She was always active and interested in church work and her services in that regard were very valuable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Watt were born ten children: Mary E., now the wife of D. H. Cherry, a resident farmer of Xenia township; Sarah J., the wife of Warren Johnson, of Wichita, Kansas, where he is engaged in the raising of fruit and vegetables: Margaret E., who died at the age of eighteen years; James B., who is engaged in the wholesale clothing business in Chicago; John C, a minister of the Presbyterian church, of Columbus, Ohio; Agnes G., the wife of R. H. Nash; David B., of this review; Robert C, who is a farmer and stockraiser living near Cedarville, in Cedarville township; Emily H., who died at the age of four years; and Rosetta, who died at the age of eighteen months.
David B. Watt spent the first ten years of his life upon the home farm in Xenia township and then went with his parents to Cedarville township, where he remained for fourteen years, removing thence to his present farm on the Jamestown pike, in his native township. While under the parental roof he had received ample training in the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the labors of field and meadow and the best methods of caring for stock. In the public schools he had acquired a good English education and was thus well equipped for the practical duties of business life when he started out on his own account.
In 1880 Mr. Watt was united in marriage to Miss Annie Fleming, who was born in Franklin, Ohio, and removed to this county when about six years of age. Her parents were Joseph B. and Margaret (Bosserman) Fleming. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and was a tinner by trade, following that pursuit throughout the greater part of his active business life. He was also interested in the canning factory in Xenia. He is still residing in Xenia and is now connected with the Baldner Motor Company. The mother of Mrs. Watt is still living as is her grandmother. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children: William F., who is engaged in farming with his father; Robert Bigger and Jennie May. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and are widely and favorably known in this community. Throughout their married life they have resided upon their present farm which Mr. Watt purchased in the spring of 1880. Here he has one hundred and fifty acres of rich land and in the conduct of general farming and stock-raising he is meeting with creditable success. He has for twenty-five years made a specialty of raising Cotswold sheep, being the first to introduce the variety in this section of the state, and he usually keeps a number of imported sheep at the head of his flock. He has taken many premiums at the county as well as the state fairs. In politics he is an active Republican, but is not an aspirant for office.