Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-08-20

George F. Watt. president of Eli
ott-Fisher Company and long promi-
nent in Harrisburg's civic activities.
died at 11.40 o'clock yesterday morn
ing at the Hahnemann Hospital,
Philadelphia. from complications.
For nearly year Mr.. Watt had
been i'll and although his ill
health has been generally known his
sudden death came as a shock to his
many associates and friends Mr..
Watt was first taken sick last Octo-
Der and shortly afterward went to
Florida and later to California, where
he spent the winter recuperating.
He returned to Harrisburg in April,
feeling much better. Last month,
however. he had a change for the
worse. AS late as August 4, however.
he was at his office, but general
breakdown two weeks ago caused his
physicians to advise going to the
Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia,
where he remained until his death.
His wife and eldest brother, William
H. Watt, were at his bedside when he
died.
Masonic Burial
The body will arrive at the Penn
sylvania station at 2.30 o'clock Tues
day afternoon and funeral services
and interment will be held at 3 o'clock
under the auspices of the Masonic
orders at PaXtang Cemetery. The
honorary pallbearers will be MEM
bers of the general office staff of Ell
liott-Fisher Company. his closest bus
mess associates, as follows: l.. G.
Julihn. H. A. Foothorap II. B. Buswell
M. A. Seely, NJ. II. Dean. Ralph Trego,
r, e. Weaver. NJ. L. Bowman. L. d.
Thomas, S. L. Randolph, G. II. Hunter,
c. II. Miller o. L. Gagg, W. J. Evert
c. c.. Fitch. w. r. Busch. Trescot
Goode, G. NJ. Carl. H. w. Grouse and
]. c. Miller.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs.
Gertrude Watt; four brothers. W. II.
Watt, Newark, N. j.; John Watt. Fort
Wayne, Ind; Frank and Harold Watt.
of Chicago; and one sister Mrs. Sey-
mour. of Chicago.
Started as a Printer
George Frederick Watt was born
fifty years ago in Springfield, Ohio.
After a public school education he
entered his fathers printshop as ap-
prentice and was made foreman of
the crew that printed the Springfield
Republican when only seventeen years
old. Shortly afterwards he became
connected with newspapers in To-
ronto and Montreal and at the age or
twenty-one was called to Chicago
WIN liS bl6 printing
establishment of p. F. Pettibone and
Company. In 1893 Mr.. Watt Joined
the then comparatively small Baker
Vawter Company where he remained
until 1907. and where he advanced
from superintendent to salesmanager
and finally to president. Much
of the remarkable success of Baker
Vawter Company in perfecting and
bringing loose-leaf ledger systems to
their present high standard was due
to the indefatigable efforts and pro-
nounced business ability of Mr. Watt.
In 1907 Mr.. Watt was appointed
vice president and general manager of
Elliott-Fisher Company. At that time
the general Offices of the company
were in New York and at Mr.. Watts
recommendation headquarters were
transferred to Harrisburg the follow
ing year. In January, 1918, Mr.. Watt
was made president of Elliott Fisher
Company in recognition of his able
leadership.
Member of Many Clubs
Mr.. Watt was one of the prime
movers in organizing the Harrisburg
Chamber of Commerce and was a
| member of the board of directors
until his death. He was a member OF
the Harrisburg Club. the Harrisburg
County Club, the Colonial Club, the
Engineers Club. all of this city; the
Columbia Country Club. of Washing
ton. d. c.. and the Chicago Athletic
Club. of Chicago. He was also q
member of the following local lodges:
Robert Burns Lodge No. 464 A. f.
and A. M; Zembo Temple Mystic
Shrine and Harrisburg Consistory OF
| Scottish Rites. He was a member OF
the First Baptist Church.
The news of Mr.. Watts death is
received with sorrow by his hundreds
| of friends in this city.