Cabell County, WV Heritage 1809 - 1996
Produced by: KYOWVA Genealogy Society, Huntington, WV
Page 322

Hansford Watts
     Hansford "Hans" Watts was born in Wayne County on February 4, 1873 on his father's farm at East Lynne. He was one of seven children born to Harrison and Sarah (Maynard) Watts. Harrison Watts was born October 16, 1842 and was a veteran of the Civil War. He named Hans for his father named Hansford who had been a well-known farmer in Wayne County. Harrison's other children were: Alderson (lived at Huntington), Dr. Alvis J. (also of Huntington), Charles N. (police officer of Huntington), Jesse C. (also of Huntington), Mary, and Harrison Jr. When Hans was seventeen his father bought a flour mill at Wayne Court House and his family moved there. He went to work at the mill. He was head miller, until 1894 when he received a federal appointment as Deputy United States Marshal in McDowell County, under Marshal S. S. Vinson. He served two years. In 1896 he came to Huntington, and with Walter Davis opened the Adephi Hotel. He was identified with that business for five years. In 1901 he started the Hans Watts Jewery Store in Huntington, on 3rd Ave between 9th and 10th Sts. It was moved to Ashland, Ky after the building was torn down in 1902. Mr. Watts then went into the hotel business again, and in 1906 the real estate business. Thompson, Thompson, and Watts Realty Company. His father also moved to Huntington living on Thirteenth Ave. The Watts family were also members of the 5th Ave Baptist Church.
     Jesse C. married Margaret _______. They were the parents of the following: Marie, Campbell, Arthur, Harry, Paul, Jessie, Robert, and Lucille. Hans married a daughter of MacFarland and Margaret (Saunders) Booton. Virginia "Jennie" and Hans were married in Wayne County July 20, 1889. To this union were born two children Vickers Booton Watts born April 10, 1902 and Margaret Vivian born November 17, 1904. MacFarland Booton was a prominent Wayne County farmer, he and his wife moved to Huntington. MacFarland Booton died January 15, 1929 and Margaret on January 19, 1942, both are buried in Spring Hill Cemetery. Vickers B. married Lou V. Harris of Shreveport, Louisiana. He died July 7, 1965. Margaret married Roy C. Nichols. She died August 25, 1995.
     Harrison Watts died Feb. 21, 1925 in Cabell County. When he retired around 1905, to what was known as the Drown farm. His wife died about the time of his move to Cabell County. He and his wife are also buried in Spring Hill Cemetery.

Submitted by: G. Booton