William Watts (Virginian) Explained

William Watts
Office3:Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Roanoke County
Term Start3:December 1, 1875
Term End3:May 1, 1877
Preceded3:Charles M. Webber
Succeeded3:Henry S. Trout
Birth Date:20 December 1817
Birth Place:Campbell County, Virginia
Death Place:Roanoke County, Virginia
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Mary Jane Allen
Alma Mater:University of Virginia
Serviceyears:1861–1865
Rank:Colonel
Unit:19th Virginia Infantry
28th Virginia Infantry
Battles:American Civil War

William Watts (December 20, 1817 – May 1, 1877) was a nineteenth-century American lawyer, soldier and politician from Virginia. As a politician, Watts served in the Virginia House of Delegates and was elected to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1850.

Early life

Watts was born in Campbell County, Virginia in 1817. He was educated at University of Virginia where he attained an M.D. in 1840, and a Bachelor of Laws in 1841-42.[1]

Career

As an adult, Watts began a law practice Roanoke County in 1842.[2]

Watts was the president of the Branch Bank of Virginia from 1850-61.[3]

In 1850, Watts was elected to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1850. He was one of three delegates elected from the Valley delegate district made up of his home district of Roanoke County as well as Botetourt, Alleghany and Bath Counties.[4]

During the American Civil War, Watts served in the Confederate States Army. Initially being commissioned as Major in the 19th Virginia Infantry; in 1862 he transferred to the 28th Virginia Infantry and later became Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel.[5]

For many years, Watts served as a director of the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad formed by William Mahone.[6]

Watts served in the Virginia House of Delegates 1875-77.[7]

Death

William Watts died in Roanoke County on May 1, 1877.[8]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. [#pulliam|Pulliam 1901, p. 114]
  2. [#pulliam|Pulliam 1901, p. 114]
  3. [#pulliam|Pulliam 1901, p. 114]
  4. [#pulliam|Pulliam 1901, p. 99]
  5. [#pulliam|Pulliam 1901, p. 114]
  6. [#pulliam|Pulliam 1901, p. 114]
  7. [#pulliam|Pulliam 1901, p. 114]
  8. [#pulliam|Pulliam 1901, p. 114]