Caro, Biographies, Indian Fields, Tuscola Co., MI

This history was extracted from "History of Tuscola and Bay Counties, Mich.
with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of their Prominent Men 
and Pioneers", published in Chicago by H. R. Page & Co. (1883), p. 93-104

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.



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AARON WATROUS. The history of Tuscola County would be incomplete without the 
history of this pioneer.

    Mr. Watrous was the founder of Watrousville; he was born at Chester, 
Middlesex County, Conn., and died at his home in Watrousville, February 1, 1868, 
aged fifty-nine years. His father's name was also Aaron Watrous; his mother 
being a Dickinson; both ancestral branches being among the older families of 
that State, and quite numerous.

    The subject of the sketch learned the stone-cutter's trade, and worked at 
that business until about the age of eighteen years; but possessing an energetic 
and enterprising spirit he abandoned his trade and started in the mercantile 
business, beginning as a peddler, quite common in those days, and at the age of 
nineteen he married Miss Laura Luther, of East Lynn, Conn. He soon acquired such 
a financial start that it enabled him to open a small store near Chester, and 
his business became so increasing he shortly afterward removed to Deep River, 
then a thriving village on the Connecticut River, and opened one of the largest 
stores there, and soon took a stand as one of the most prominent business men of 
the place. After remaining for some years at Deep River he, with other citizens 
of that vicinity, emigrated to the State of Ohio, locating in Austinburg, 
Ashtabula County, where he engaged in the mercantile business.

    At Austinburg Mr. Watrous soon became prominent in business and social 
circles, which position he forever held with the people of that place. It seemed 
as if he was fated to be in the path of emigration, as in 1853 there started out 
from Ashtabula County a wave of emigration to the then new and wild enmity of 
Tuscola. In that year Mr. W. came to Watrousville, then known as McGlone 
Corners, buying quite a large amount of land there and in the immediate 
vicinity. He there opened a store and built a saw-mill, being the only ones 
above Vassar which at once supplied the pressing wants of the pioneers that had 
settled in and around that beautiful part of Tuscola County.

    Mr. Watrous had here a broad field opened up before him, giving him labor to 
absorb his indomitable energy. He was the leading spirit in all the improvements 
at Watrousville and vicinity. If there was a new mail route or a highway to be 
established he was foremost in the enterprise. If there was a needy family to be 
supplied he was the one applied to. He became quite largely interested in 
lumbering, which he carried on in connection with his store. He laid out the 
village of Watrousville upon the beautiful ridge that it occupies, and had high 
hope that it would be made the county seat, but its location prevented it.

    In 1856 his wife, after lingering some years with consumption died, having 
borne to him nine children. A few years after the death of his wife Mr. Watrous 
received a stroke of paralysis, paralyzing his right side, including his right 
arm and right leg, which forever after precluded him from entering upon active 
business, and from that time until his death, his business had to be transacted 
for him, although always under his direction, he retaining his mental faculties 
till the last. He died after short, severe illness, surrounded by nearly all his 
children and many friends.

    Mr. Watrous had, with the rest of humanity, faults, but he had many virtues, 
among which was a broad charity toward his fellow men. He had an open and tender 
heart and his many acts of generosity will be remembered by the recipients for 
years to come. He was for many years a prominent Odd Fellow, occupying high 
official positions in that order, and though never a seeker for office, he was 
at one time after coming to Michigan, a candidate for State senator, and made a 
fine run, though defeated, his party being in the minority.

    His children living are as follows: Mrs. Jane A. Baldwin, of Oconomowoc, 
Wis.; Mrs. Ellen Culver, Ashtabula, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Maxwell, Vassar, Mich. ; 
Mrs. Mary A. Black, Caro, Mich. ; and Ansel Watrous, of Bay City, Mich.