My Genealogy Hound

J. H. WATT, engineer for Haynes, Jordan & Co., Chenoa; was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, Jan. 6, 1839, of Protestant parents, and in early childhood accompanied his parents to America; the family settled on a farm in Port Canada, Penn.; Mr. Watt had his own way to make in the world, being set to work at blowing the bellows in a blacksmith-shop, when he was so small as to require a block to stand on for that purpose. He came West at 15; his father removing to Peoria Co., Ill; he followed farming and running a corn-sheller and threshing machine, until 1861; he then entered the Union army as a member of Co. H, 11th I. V. C., and served till 1863, engaged mainly in scouting duty; he was then discharged by reason of injuries received; returned to Illinois and ran a stationary engine, in Chillicothe; removing thence to McLean Co., and farmed at Meadows, two years; he then went to Kansas, and remained nearly a year, and in 1869, came to Chenoa, since which time he has been constantly in the employ of Haynes, Jordan & Co., as engineer. He is a leading Odd Fellow, a member of Chenoa Lodge, No. 387, and has held all the offices in the lodge from Doorkeeper to Noble Grand. He was married Aug. 27, 1863, to Miss Nancy J. Spears, a daughter of Jacob Spears, of Blue Mound, Ill.; she was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Oct. 27, 1842; they have two children — Henry L. and Charles J.