My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM EYSTER WATTERS, gardener, Greenfield, was born March 27, 1837, in Pittsburgh, Pa., son of Joseph and Harriett (Eyster) Watters, latter of whom is still living, aged eighty-eight years. His grandfather, Joseph Watters, was born in England, came to America when about ten years of age, and subsequently married Margaret Morrow, who came from Ireland when she was twelve years old. Mr. Watters was on the survey with Gen. Pike between the United States and Mexico; he was in the artillery in the revolutionary war, and at the battle of New Orleans lost one of his eyes; was then discharged and given a land grant, but died soon after reaching home. His wife lived for some time upon Davis island, and died at the age of seventy-five years. Joseph, the father of William, was born June 4, 1809, in Robinson township, this county; he moved to the island in 1849, and died Dec. 26, 1882. His wife was of German descent, born at Shippensburg, Pa., in 1807, and died in March, 1888. Mr. Watters began life on the island as a gardener without any capital; by industry and speculation in outside property he finally owned a fine farm of 110 acres. In 1868 the property was divided, his son William taking his share and beginning for himself; the farm is now well improved, with a fine house and good outbuildings; he has five lots in Glenfield, some in Emsworth, and fifteen hundred acres of timber, coal and mineral land in West Virginia. Mr. Watters enlisted Aug. 3, 1862, in Co. K, 123d P. V. I., Army of the Potomac; he participated in the battles of Bull run, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was discharged May 13, 1863. Returning home, he married, Feb. 6, 1866, Ann Elizabeth Dunbar, of Washington county, daughter of James and Mary (Elder) Dunbar. Her father died in 1878, aged seventy-eight years; her mother died in 1880, aged seventy-six. Her maternal great-grandfather was Col. McGeeham, from Scotland, who was in the French and Indian war. Her paternal grandparents were James and Mary (McConnell) Dunbar, also natives of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Watters have one daughter, Minnie E. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church.