Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1918-03-14
GRANDPA WATTLES PAS
SEQ TO THtGREATBE


Hubert Sewel Wattles. youngest son
of William and Sarah Wattles, was
born February %, 1888, near Buffalo.
New York and died March 5th, 1918
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C.
L. Bison of Brayton Iowa.
At the age of eight years he moved
with his parents to Erie, Pennsyl-
vania living there until II years of age
when he entered college. After fin
ishing his college course he took a
course in penmanship and book-keep-
ing, went to Chicago, where he taught
three years in college and held night
schools in penmanship and book-keep-
ing. His health failing, he went to
Earlville, La Sale county, Illinois,
where he taught a couple of years in
the country schools, thinking the ex-
ercise and outdoor work would bene-
| fit him.
On November 6, 1860 he was mar
ried to Marteneya E. Chase three
children being born to them, Sarah
Elizabeth Nizzie), Nettie, Estella who
died in infancy at Earlville Ill.
In October, 1870, he with his family
moved to Audubon county and lived in
| Oakfeld until 1874 when he was elect
ed county auditor and served two
| terms He was then elected county
surveyor, which office he held during
| his stay in the county. When the
railroad came through here he was
one of the first to help drive stakes
for the new town of Audubon, helped
to survey, measure and make plats
for the town. During the boom in
Wyoming, he, with e. H. Kimball, II.
i (l in
there. He surveyed, staked and
plated the towns of Douglas and Cas-
per, being there two years. He re-
turned to Audubon county and 1c-
sided in Audubon until the death of
his wife, February IA, 1897, when he
went to Extra to reside with his
daughter, Mrs. j. NJ Thomas. They
moved from there to Carson. Iowa.
where they lived four years and then
moved to Aztec, New Mexico, where
ne has since made his home. Even
at his advanced age he had worked
and accumulated a nice property and
land interests, was very active in AL
business and the welfare of his county
and town, doing surveying. During
his stay in Wyoming he united with
the Presbyterian church. and when he
moved to Extra he united with the
Congregational church of which he
was still member at the time of his
| death, March 9th, 1918. He was also
secretary of the Aztec Commercial
Club. He came back to Brayton to
spend Christmas with his daughter,
Mrs. c. L. Bison and. family, and on
January 26th received telegram that
his daughter. Mrs. Thomas had died
suddenly at Aztec. He went to that
place to attend the funeral services
and the shock and trip and grief was
SO severe that he commenced to fail.
Then he suffered an attack of grippe
and pneumonia which was more than
he could stand His general health
had been good until his recent trip to
New Mexico. Always so patient and
good natured, everything was always
perfectly all right.
The funeral services were held at
the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. L.
Bison, at 900 p. m., Thursday, March
7th, in charge of Mr.. George Gore.
The funeral services were conducted
by Rev. Ed B. Cousins of Audubon
and interment was made in the Extra
cemetery beside his wife.
Mr.. Wattles was a man that at
tracted more than ordinary attention.
His business experience was so va
ried that he possessed store of
knowledge that was very readily OBJ.
served. He was unpretentious in ev-
cry way and no man loved and re-
spected his friends more than Mr..
Wattles. He was a tireless worker
in the interests of the community as
well as his own business. The fact
that he was active enough in busi-
ness at his advanced age to take the
prominent and active part necessary
in town to be secretary of the Com
mercial Club is evidence of lis bust
ness activities. The writer has known
Mr. Wattles for many years. He has
visited us about once year ever
since leaving the county and we have
always looked forward to his visits
with great deal of pleasure and now
remember them as some of the bright
spots in our life. We are proud to
remember Mr.. Wattles as one of our
friends.
/