Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-02-21
PIONEER BANKER
dies SUDDENLY
For Thirty Eight Years Had Been
Connected With First National
Bank of This City

COnneCteu with FIRST National
Bank of This City
The sudden death of F. S. Watts
at his home in this city last Saturday
evening was a distinct surprise to
almost everyone who heard it. For
several days past Mr.. Watts had
complained of a severe headache. but
no one thought the ailment was
alarming Saturday morning after
doing his usual work at the house
he went to the bank. He complained
of not feeling well and went into
the back room to lay down. Some
time later he got up and walked into
the room of Chas Van Gorder, who
noticed that his step was unsteady,
and with others in the bank, assist
ed him back to the couch.
A physician was summoned at once
who on examination found that he
was suffering from clot of blood
on the brain, caused by the bursting
of blood vessel This brought on
paralytic condition that soon rem
dered hi munconscious. Mr.. Watts
was removed to his home where ply
sicians worked with him faithfully.
He continued to grow worse during
the afternoon and died early in the
evening without regaining conscious
ness.
Mrs. Watts was in Des Moines
visiting her son Harry and family.
Mr.. Watts expected to join her in
the afternoon for an over Sunday
visit She was at once notified of
| her husbands condition. but could
not reach Audubon until early Sun
day morning, being accompanied by
her son. Another son. Charles. of
Plover, was summoned and he reach
ed home Sunday. An effort was
made to keep Mr.. Watts alive until
his family could reach his bedside.
but the stroke was so severe that
stimulants had no effect.
Mr.. Watts will be greatly missed
in the community for during his long
residence he held many positions of
trust. We know of no man who had
fewer enemies than he. He had
many sclose personal friends. 1t was
the writer's good fortune to have
known him we'll. and We only knew
him to esteem him more highly as
the years passed by. Nothing but
the thought of the loving hand that
removed him can reconcile us to his
absence. While he is gone he will
still live in the hearts of those who
knew him best His rather retiring
nature led him To hide his best quail
tiles from the public gaze, hut they
were revealed to those who enjoyed
his acQuaintanceship.
He was a devoted husband and
kind and indulgent father; to his
friends the soul of fellowship. But
the greatest of all-he was man.
knew him best love to contemplate
him.
Poet nor artist has never been
able to portray the grave in colors
of brightness and beauty. Bryant.
| in the Hymn Of Death" could not
make the subject beautiful; and yet
the cemetery with its marble and its
dead, the chair that has no occupant.
the fancied echo of the silent voice.
and the vacant place in the home.
social and lodge life, are mellowing
and uplifting in their influence.
They bring the best of human nature
into the fullness of vigor and i'm
presses them with the duty of recog
milton of the value of friendship. 1t
is the gloom of the churchyard that
reveals to us more clearly the beauty
of life 1t is the broken ties at the
grave that prompts us to fuller re-
alization of the tenderness of the
ties that are not yet broken; and so
while we mourn the loss of our dead
A. t..
cloud so dark that there is no light
behind it. no sorrow so poignant that
there is no balm for the wound 1t
inflicts.
During the many years that Mr..
Watts was associated with Mr.. Van
Gorder in the bank he was
always frank and honest, and at no
time was there any evidence of any
thing but the best of motives. Mr..
Van Gorder keenly feels the loss Of
the man with whom he was so close
ly affiliated in many undertakings.
Frank Stevens Watts was born at
Hannibal. Mo-. Jan. 80. 1861. His
early years were spent at Davenport,
Iowa and Dexter. Iowa. where-he
grew to young manhood. At the age
|
mess at Dexter with Ed Conger
From there he went to Griswold. In
May, 1880 he came to Audubon and
began his association with Chas.
Van Gorder in the Audubon County
Bank. On Jan. 81, 1884. he was
united in marriage to Mary Terrill.
To this union two sons were born,
Harry T. Watts. advertising man
ager Of the Register. Of Des Moines.
and Chas. Watts. cashier of the bank
at Plover. Iowa.
Private funeral services were held
at the home at 1880 Tuesday. after
which the remains were taken to
the Presbyterian church where they
lay in state until $3.50 when the
Knight Templar service was held.
| The tribute of beautiful flowers
which represented the sentiment Of
friends lent an attitude of comfort
to the bereaved family. Quantities
of chaste lilies. red roses and pink.
with carnations and smaller bios
SONS covered the chancel of the
church. Many old time friends and
former residents came to pay the last
courtesy they could show to the de-