Grubb Family Tree

From Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley : comprising the counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania

SAMUEL WATTS, Belleville, Mifflin
county, Pa., is one of the staid, representative
citizens of Belleville. He was born at Eair-
ville, Lancaster county, Pa., June 22, 1822,
and is a grandson of Thomas Watts, a farmer
of Caernarvon township, Lancaster county.
The father of Thomas Watts came from Eng-
land during the latter part of the seventeenth
century, and settled in the eastern part of the
province of Pennsylvania. Thomas Watts
married Maria Snyder, who was of Swiss de-
scent; they had four children: George;
Philip; Samuel; and Catherine. The eldest,
George, married and removed to Holmes
county, Ohio, in 1835; his descendants are
among the substantial citizens of that county.
Philip, the second son, married Mrs. Henry,
a widow; she died, and he married again, and
removed to the Kishacoquillas valley, Avith his
family; he had two children: Franklin, who
studied at a Catholic seminary, graduated,
was ordained to the priesthood, and when last
heard from, was pursuing his studies in Kan-
sas; and a daughter, Sarah, who was also con-
verted to the Catholic faith, became a Sister
of Charity, and from latest information, had
gone to a Catholic institution in Paris. Sam-
uel, third son of Thomas Watts, and father of
the gentleman now bearing the same name,
was a farmer, residing near Fairville, Lancas-
ter county, and Avas considered a progressiA-e
and enterprising man; he was Avidely and fa-
vorably known for sobriety and integrity, en-
joying the esteem and respect of his friends
and neighbors. During the later years of his
life, he Avas an earnest and consistent member
of the Evangelical church. His wife died in
1860, aged about sixty-nine; he, too, passed
away in 1862, at the age of seventy years.
( "atlicrine, yduugopt child (if I'liomas AVatts,
married :\lr. La].p; they had one child. Her
husliand died, and Mrs. La]>p was married to
]\rr. Silknitter.

Samuel Watts (2), remained on his father's
farm in Lancaster county, attending the com-
mon schools, until he arrived at early man-
hood. In 1840, lie Avout to Belleville, Avliere
he Avas engaged in his uncle's store, and at the
same time continued his studies under priAvate
tuition. After some time, young Watts re-
turned to his parents' home. Having a strong-
desire for a thorough education, he found
means to attend the academy at New London
Cross Roads, Chester county. Pa. Here
among his classmates were Hon. J. Smith Fu-
they and Hon. Robert Emmet Monaghan.
Samuel Watts Avas a diligent student, and his
standing in his class was most creditable.
Again he returned home, and studied under
private tuition at ISTew Holland, Lancaster
county. Being now qualified for the business
of teaching, Mr. Watts established a school
near his home, at the Overholtzer school-
house. After teaching there for several terms,
he became desirous of exchanging his occupa-
tion for one more lucrative. He accordingly
embarked in mercantile affairs, at Galtsville,
Lancaster county, on the Conestoga creek.
This was in 1844; some time later, he opened
a flour and feed store in Pottsville, Schuylkill
county. Pa. In the fall of 1850, he exchanged
his store for that of his uncle, Daniel Over-
holtzer, at Belleville, Mifflin county, of which
he took possession early in 1851. Through
his able and prudent management, his mer-
cantile career has been very successful. Mr.
Watts may well be styled a self-made man.
He began without capital except youth, energy
and intelligence; by a right use of these pow-
ers, by perseverance and economy, by circum-
spect and skillful management, and by a deter-
mination undaunted by discouragements and
difficulties, he has acquired a considerable es-
tate. His history is encouraging to any young
man beginning life with obstacles to confront
and overcome. Mr. Watts has become one of
the most substantial and iisefid citizens of
Belleville. He has erected a number of new
Imildings, in modern style. He was largely
influential in the organization of the Kishaco-
quillas Valley Railroad Company, and the
construction of the road, in 1892. He was an
organizer and a charter member of the Kish-
acoquillas Mutual Fire Insurance Company,
and for some years its secretary. He took a
leading part, also, in the establishment of the
Reedsville !N"ational Bank, of which he has
lieen president since the organization of the
company. He was a charter member of the
East Kishacoquillas Turnpike Company, a di-
rector, and its president for several years. He
has made large investments in land in Iowa
and Illinois, as well as extensive improvements
in those properties: they are now in the charge
of his son, Samuel Hemy. Mr. Watts is a
generous contributor to church enterprises,
without respect to creed. He has always been
an ardent Republican, and has taken an active
interest in local affairs, but has never aspired
to public oflice.

Samuel Watts was married in February,
1852, to Maria, daughter of John and Marga-
ret (Kurtz) Overholtzer. Their children are:
Elizabeth, died October 4, 1854, when about
eighteen months old; Martin O.; Samuel
Henry, residing in Iowa; James Kurtz; Mary
E. (Mrs. Oldt), residing in Williamsport, Pa. ;
John; Levi M., married October 28, 1896, to
Sue Stroup, daughter of Samuel and Sue
(Stroup) Killian; and Isaac. Mr. Watts and
his family are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal church at Belleville.