Mexico Missouri message., 1916-03-02
Obituary OF John
Thomas Watts.

SOh VI "chh w aus ahu SdthSlihO
e. Bomar Watts. Born in South Au-
drain county, Mo-, sept. 10, 1914.
Died at his home, = miles southeast
of Mexico, Mo. His parents were
from Halifax county, Va. His father
died, leaving ]. T. Watts and two
sisters orphans while quite young. He
and his sister were compelled owith-
stand many hardships, as orphans Of
ten do who are left fatherless. His
mother married the second time, to
good man, who was a kind step
father. He was Samuel Martin, long
since deceased. To this union were ,
born Elizabeth G., now Mrs. VIM.
Lee Staples, and Juda, who married |
the late John w. Crum, and James
Alexander Martin of Mexico. His
two full sisters married David Sta
pies and B. Hodges. Mr.. Watts and
his two full sisters made their home
with their grandpa, Bomar, and un-
Gle, Alex Bomar, until grown, and
married. They settled on tracts of
land left them by their grandfather,
where J. T. resided at the time of
his death, of pneumonia, at 6 a. M,
Feb. 81, 1915.
Mr.. Watts followed his friends and
uncle, Alex Bomar, into the Confed-
crate army. Saw service under the
stars and bars in the cavalry com
mand of Capt. Purcell. Was in sew
eral desperate encounters and hair
breadth escapes.
He married Miss Martha Elizabeth
Kesler, a-Virginia lady, at Concord,
Mo. She was a daughter of Jacob
and Elizabeth Kesler. To this union
were born five sons and five daugh-
ters, as follows: VIM. Logan, John
Thomas, Jr., Jacob Samuel, George
Alexander, and G. B. Cleveland. The
last named is married, and Nellie,
who married j. L. Bomar, 1891,
died at Rich Hill, Mo-, 1907, left
four daughters and two sons, and
Catherine E. married G. w. Crum of
Galloway county, and Virginia F.
married Hescott Franklin of Audrain
county, and Nancy j., deceased, and
Vannie married Bud Caldwell of Au-
drain county.
Mr.. Watts by economy had accu-
mulated several hundred acres of
land. Being of the Watts firm, he
and his sons were the largest promis-
cuous farmers and machine men of
South Audrain county. He had a
multitude of relatives in Missouri and
being an old landmark, noted for
his hospitality and keen wit, will be
greatly missed. He was a stalwart
Democrat. Despised cant, show and
sumptuary laws. Was not member
of any church. Had strong opinions
as to right and wrong, believed in
the right, despised dudeism, deceit
and hypocracy. Had his faults, per-
haps, as all have, but more virtues
than faults. The rough side and
latch-string always was out
A beautiful tribute was delivered
by Elder Beatty Rice. Interment
took place at Union Chapel Baptist
Church. His nephews acted as pail.
bearers, as follows: John T. Sta
pies, Jerry Staples, S. Jessie Martin
Sam Louis Crum, D. Frank Crum
and John B. Hodges. His sons
daughters, good wife and grandchil
dren, six Bomars, four of Hescot
Franklins', three of Mr.. and Mrs
Bud Caldwell, are left to mourn hi
passing away
8 A large crowd gathered to pay (
+ last tribute of respect, altho it wal
|, so awfully muddy that four splendic
J. teams were required to draw tn,
l. hearse.
4 Three brother-in-laws died insid
g Of thirty days, all old landmarks
J. James S. Thomas, ]. T. Watts an,
It John P. Kesler. We hope and trus
It all will never be separated, but will
n live on forever, as all believed in an,
), hoped for a better life, as all love,
and believed in Christ.