Biographies: James R. Watts, 1974, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: October 30, 1974 Winn Parish Enterprise-News American  


James R. Watts, Oldest Businessman In Winn

Perhaps the oldest active businessman in Winnfield today is James R. Watts,
Jr., who celebrated his 85th birthday, Tuesday, October 29.

Watts and his son, James R. Watts III own and operate the Watts Gin Company
located on Crawford Street.  The elder Watts came to Winnfield from Saline in
1902.  He worked in a dry goods store in his younger days, where Winnfield's
First Federal is now located.

An avid Houston Astros baseball fan, Watts came to Winnfield about the same
time the L & A Railroad started to build its tracks through Winn Parish.  He
has worked in the same store for over 40 years now, and is still very active
in the business transactions that take place each day in the store.  

Watts said that the only things in Winnfield when he arrived in 1902 were "six
stores, dirt streets, and the courthouse."

In his 85 years, Watts can't recall a day in his life when he was sick enough
to stay in bed.  He has opened his store at 7 a.m. sharp each morning for the
past year, and closes up most of the nights.  It was just recently that he
started wearing glasses.

Other hobbies Watts enjoys besides listening to the Astros on the radio the
season are tending to the greenhouse located on the Gin Company's lot and
taking care of the many persons that come in his store each day.

Watts' children besides his son James are Mrs. George E. Brewton of Winnfield,
John K. Watts of Shreveport, and Abner W. Watts, who lives in Denver,
Colorado.

When asked when he would retire from his job, Watts thought a few seconds
and said "I'm not really sure.  I enjoy doing what I'm doing and I just
don't know when I'll give it up."