My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE W. WATT. The Watt family are of Scotch-Irish origin, William Watt (father) having come to this country with his parents when he was but ten years of age. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, May 12, 1808, and reached Philadelphia in 1818. On leaving school he entered the establishment of his uncles, David and William Watt, who were extensive woolen manufacturers in that city. On completing his apprenticeship with them he worked at his trade for several years, eventually engaging in the manufacture of cotton and woolen fabrics in Philadelphia. In 1867 he removed to Norristown, and a year or two later purchased the site yet occupied by Watt’s Mills at the foot of Buttonwood street, and continued the same business in which he had been engaged in Philadelphia, making woolen goods principally. The establishment has grown steadily from the beginning made by William Watt in 1869, many improvements having been added from time to time. In 1876 a large addition was built to the mill, increasing its productive capacity nearly one-half in comparison with what is was when erected in 1849 by William Hamill & Son. That firm retired in 1851, and S. Porter Hamill and Joshua Batty became the proprietors, but at the end of two years, Mr. Batty drew out of the firm and Mr. Hamill operated the mill until 1856, when he took in J. Lee as a partner. In 1857 Hunter & DeHaven bought the establishment, operating it sometime and selling it to Mr. DeHaven, who in turn sold it to Mr. Watt in 1869, as has been stated. William Watt was a man of excellent business qualifications, as was manifested in his successful operation of his Norristown manufactory, which was run almost steadily, even in so-called “hard times,” when other establishments of the kind were idle or running on half time. During the latter years of his life, Mr. Watt, yielding to the infirmities of age, allowed its management to devolve largely upon his son, George W. Watt, the subject of this sketch. William Watt was married January 9, 1834, to Miss Catherine, daughter of William McKay, of Scotch descent, and one of the oldest residents of Philadelphia. Their children were: George W. Watt; David Watt; Amelia D., widow of Henry S. Hughes; Emily Watt; Mrs. Kate W., widow of Cyrus S. Poley, M. D.; and Dr. J. Bond Watt, long a resident of Allentown. William Watt was a lifelong Whig and Republican. He always felt much interest in politics generally and in public affairs, seldom missing an opportunity of casting his ballot, even at municipal elections which are so apt to be neglected by the average voter. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He had long been connected with the Central Presbyterian church, and for many years held the position of trustee. Mr. and Mrs. Watt celebrated their golden wedding on January 9, 1884. A large assemblage of descendants, relatives and friends were present on that occasion. He died December 2, 1893, after an illness of about ten days. mill

John Watt (great-grandfather) emigrated to this country prior to the war of 1812, bringing his family with him, except Robert (grandfather) who was engaged in the English naval service and came to Philadelphia, as has been stated, a few years later.

George W. Watt was born in Philadelphia, August 10, 1860. He was eight years old when he came with his parents to Norristown and this has been his home ever since. He attended the public schools and Treemount Seminary, and when seventeen years old entered his father’s mill as an apprentice, and later became a partner in the business. At his father’s death in 1893 he became his successor and the sole owner of the business and property.

He married Miss Sarah A. Kneedler, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Kneedler. They have three children: William, Mary Elizabeth and Howard R. Watt. Mr. and Mrs. Watt are Presbyterians in religious faith, being members of the Central church.

Mr. Watt belongs to Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons, Norristown Chapter, No. 190, Royal Arch Masons; Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, Knights Templar, of which he is past commander; and the Philadelphia Consistory. He is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason.

Politically he is, like his father, a Republican. He has served as a member of town council one term, representing the seventh ward. He is now a member of the school board from the tenth ward.

Mr. and Mrs. Watt reside at 919 West Main street, where he built an elegant and modern home of dressed graystone. Watt’s mill, under the management of it present owner, is one of the most prosperous manufactories of the Schuylkill valley. It is adjacent to the Pennsylvania Railroad, which furnishes excellent shipping facilities. Its product has a wide reputation which has been fully maintained under the management of the present proprietor. A ready market awaits all the goods that Mr. watt can make. That part of Norristown in which the mill is located was very sparsely settled until within a few years, and it has been a prominent factor in the very rapid development and growth of that portion of the borough, because of the many persons who find steady and profitable employment there. He has commenced the erection of a large addition thirty-two by eighty feet, four stories high, increasing the works some twenty-five percent.