Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/55

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

33

ments in the old firm name. They became interested in several coal mining operations, and at the time of his death Colonel Watts was director in the Gilliam, the Louisville, and the Greenbriar Coal and Coke com- panies. He was at one time president of the National Exchange Bank, and was at different times a director in this and other banks of Lynchburg. In addition to this he was one of the leading spirits in establishing the Lynchburg Cotton Mill, his labor as well as his capital furnishing an important contribution to its success.

He was always deeply interested in the welfare of the city of his adoption, and did much for its advancement. He was elected to the city council in 1877 and served on many important committees. He was again elected in 1902, but declined to serve on account of his age and the press of other business. For more than twenty years he was a judge of elections in the second ward, and at his death was serving as president of the board of police commissioners. Not only did he give time and labor to the service of the city, but his means as well. Few pub- lic or private interests failed of remembrance at his hands, and from him Court Street Church, the Randolph-AIacon College at Ashland, the Randolph-Macon Woman's College and the Young Men's Christian As- sociation of Lynchburg, all received gener- ous aid. He was for forty-eight years a steward of the Methodist church, thirty-five years of this term being spent on the board of the Court Street Church, of which he was chairman for fifteen years. About a year before his death, on account of ill health, he resigned, and if it w^ere necessary to seek testimony of his love for the church and the brethren, it could be found in his letter of resignation. As long as his health permitted he taught a class in the Sunday school, and no teacher was ever more faithful.

In the death of Colonel W^atts the city of Lynchburg and the commonwealth of Vir- ginia suffered a distinct loss. Few men in the city were so generally beloved and none more highly respected. Men admired and esteemed him, not only for what he accom- plished, but for what he was. High-minded, warm-hearted, chivalrous, brave, yet gentle and modest as a woman, and child-like in the candor and simplicity of his nature, he was at once the manliest of men, and the most lovable and companionable. Himself VIR— 3

free from guile, his charity in judging others was never-failing. He lived in the open, trusting and trusted, his life known and read of all men.

Colonel Watts married, February 22, 1854, Mary Elizabeth Jones, daughter of Fielding E. and Sarah (Spear) Jones ; children : Hu- bert Bruce, see forward ; Jennie, married George P. Watkins ; Thomas Ashby, see for- ward : Maude, married Oliver D. Bachelor, of North Carolina.

(V) Richard Thomas Watts, youngest son of Richard D. and Isabelle (Newell) Watts, was born in Bedford county, Vir- ginia, September 5,1838, died in Lynchburg, Virginia, September 21, 1910. He was edu- cated at Emory and Henry College, begin- ning his l)usiness career at the age of eighteen years in Salisbury, North Carolina, in asso- ciation with George M. and A. T. Jones. Later he was a partner of the latter, en- gaging in mercantile business at Selma, Ala- bama. When war was imminent between the states he returned to Virginia, and when his state called for men he enlisted in Com- pany A, Second Regiment Virginia Cavalry under Captain W. R. Terry, his brother, James W. Watts, being first lieutenant of the company. He joined the regiment at Manasses Junction, serving in the ranks and as color bearer. For bravery in action he was recommended for promotion by General T. T. Munford, and received it in appoint- ment as adjutant in White's "Comanche" Battalion. At Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 6, 1864, his horse was killed and while dismounted he was captured, sent to Fort Delaware and there held a prisoner of war until hostilities ceased. He then re- turned to Bedford county, but a little later located in Lynchburg, where he joined with his brother. Colonel James Winston Watts, and his brother-in-law. George M. Jones, in establishing the wholesale and retail hard- ware house of Jones, Watts & Company. He continued a member of this very success- ful firm until 1887. when the original part- ners retired, the business continuing as Bell, Barker & Jennings. After retiring from the hardware business he continued his associa- tion with his old partners, investing in coal mines and other enterprises, acquiring large financial and industrial interests. He was closely associated with his brother. Colonel James W. Watts, and his brother-in-law, George M. Jones, in the enterprises both in