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Pioneer - WATT, Alexander
Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County
Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906
|
WATT, Alexander
(d.), was b. at New Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scot. He came to Canada in
1836, and bought 800 acres of land in the township of Nichol, from William
Gilkinson, and at once commenced chopping and clearing. A shanty had to be
built for shelter until a more pretentious log house could be erected. This was
no easy matter, for even to and from their work cost no little toil, for, of
course, in those days there were no roads or bridges; a blaze through the dense
bush served for the one, and a tall tree felled across the river for the other.
All was unbroken forest from Elora to the shores of Lake Huron. Mrs. Watt was
an Elder in the church before he left Scotland. He was the leading one of the
nine members who organized Knox church, Elora, in 1836., having been chosen to
the Eldership at that time. He worshipped with the congregation in Bon Accord
until 1848, when a new church (which the present building superseded in 1873)
was built. Mr. Watt was therefore an Elder in the Presbyterian church for over
60 years, and about 50 years in the Eldership in Elora. He d. on Feb 26th,
1896. He left two sons, John, who lives on the old homestead, and William B.
both well-known thoroughbred stock raisers. James d. Feb 18th, 1873. His
daughters were: Mrs. John Hunter, Nichol; Mrs. Wm. Watson, Peel Tp.; Mrs. (Rev.
) John Ross, Brussels; Miss Barbara and Miss Annie, Elora. John Watt succeeded
to the homestead of 160 acres, lots 12, 13, 14, con. 11. He m. Margaret
Roberts, of Pilkington, dau. of the later Hugh Roberts. Their children are:
Alexander and Mary. The Messrs. J. and W.B. Watt commenced their herd of
Shorthorns in 1861, and carried it on in company for a number of years. Among
the others of their noted stock was "Barmpton Hero." He gained sixteen first
prizes at the Provincial and other leading exhibitions, eight diplomas, one
gold and two silver medals, and has stood at the head of herds at theses fairs.
Messrs. Watt won the Elkington Shield prize valued at $250 for the best 20 herd
of any breed; showing against 30 Galloways and 30 Herefords, all twenty of
their own breeding. This was the home of "Young Abbotsburn," champion of all
beef grades at the World's Fair, Chicago, in 1893. J. Watt and Son now carrying
on breeding Shorthorns to the same extent as before
From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906 |
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