My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD BIDDLE WATTS, son of Frederick and Henrietta (Ege) Watts, grandson of David and Juliana (Miller) Watts, and great-grandson of Frederick and Jane (Murray) Watts, was born Sept. 13, 1851, in Carlisle, where he grew to manhood, and where he has always lived. When fourteen years old he entered the private school of Dr. Lyons, at West Haverford, near Philadelphia, where he continued for three years. He then entered the Episcopal Academy at Cheshire, Conn., and pursued his studies in it for one year. At the end of the year which he spent in the Academy at Cheshire, Dr. Horton, the principal of the institution, requested him to take a tour with him in Europe. He accepted and spent a season in foreign travel. On his return from abroad he entered Trinity College at Hartford, Conn., from which institution he graduated in 1873. After graduating from college he took up the study of the law in the office of John Hays. Esq., at Carlisle, and was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar in 1875. He immediately began the practice of his profession at Carlisle, where he has continued to practice ever since. From 1885 to 1888 he served as attorney to the county commissioners, and during that period assisted that board of public officials in holding down the public expenses and reducing taxation. In 1890 he was elected burgess of Carlisle in which capacity he served with general acceptability, being progressive and public-spirited and a man of good business judgment. He is interested in the Cumberland Valley railroad, and a member of its board of directors. Long connected with the National Guard of Pennsylvania, he was captain of Company G, 8th Regiment, for eight years, and in 1893 was promoted to major, and held that rank for five years. When in the spring of 1898 his regiment volunteered for the Spanish-American war he was made its lieutenant-colonel, and as such served until mustered out of service at the close of the war. Since then he has been giving his time and attention to his profession and to civil duties. In politics, Colonel Watts is a Republican, firm in his convictions, but liberal in his treatment of the views of others. In religion, he is an Episcopalian, and holds the position of vestryman in St. John’s Episcopal Church, of Carlisle.