Biographical Profile: Pvt. Thomas Watt, Company D, Pennsylvania Volunteers, 100th Regiment
Transcribed by Tami McConahy, 2nd great-grandniece of Corp. Thomas John Martin, Co. F. from "History of Beaver County, 1888.
History of Beaver County, 1888
Page 732
Reuben Watt, farmer and now mill owner, P.O. Cannelton, was born in County Derry, Ireland, Jan. 1, 1812, and is the fifth child of Robert (a farmer) and Isabella (Donahue) Watt, who came to America with their family in 1828. shortly afterward they came to Sounty Beaver township, where the father purchased a farm of 125 acres, and died in 1839, aged sixty-three years. Reuben received his education at the old log school-house, and is the only member of the family now living in this county. He was married in 1838 to Sarah Ann, daughter of Capt. Thomas and Sarah (Cameron) Elmer, of Upper Cananda. Her father was a captain in the war of 1812, and fought against General Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Watt have had ten children, six of whom are living: Isabella (Mrs. Gilchrist), Thomas, who was a member of the famous "Round Head" regiment, and was wounded at Petersburg, June 17, 1864; James, a miller by trade; Maggie; George, now in Arizona, and Samuel Elmer, now in New Mexico. Mr. Watt carried on milling in connection with farming. He has retired from active labor, and for a number of years has devoted his time to settling estates, etc. He has been a justice of the peace for twenty five years, having been first elected in 1847; also president, seven years, and secretary of the school board, eighteen years. He has held many other positions of trust in the township and is highly respected. He is a member and elder of the Associate Presbyterian church; in politics he is a Republican.