LINCOLN COUNTY, NC - BIOGRAPHIES - Gaither and Katie Ann Johnson Watts ============================================================================ USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the North Carolina USGenWeb Archives by: Wanda Owens Ramsey framsey@chestertel.com ============================================================================ April of 1898 Katie Ann Johnson married Gaither Watts. Gaither was from Pea Ridge and Katie was from Golden Valley. They used to tell us that they could yell to each other across the mountains. Gaither was a farmer and auctioneer in Lincolnton and the family lived most of their lives in the North Brook area.Below you will find a list of Katie's family and Gaithers as well as the children they had together. Charlie Johnson b. abt.1860 married Emma Sigmon b. May 31, 1863 children of Charlie and Emma Perry Cloninger Johnson b. ? d. 1947 in Lincolnton Jake Johnson Katie Ann Johnson b. June 22 1880 at Crowell Hospital in Lincolnton d. March 15 1973 Ellie Johnson 2nd Marriage of Emma to John Heavner Emma and John's children Etter Heavner Hattie Heavner John Watts b. 1833 married Huldah Sisk b. 1836 children of John and Huldah Sisk John Watts b. 1856 William Watts b. 1853 Almeda Watts b. 1870 Elizabeth ( Betty ) b. 1851 Mary b. 1860 Ephram b. 1872 Louisa b. 1865 Emmay b. 1868 Alice b. 1870 Gaither b. 1873 Gaither and Katie grew up in Rutherfordton North Carolina but moved to Lincolnton because it was suppose to be a better area for growing cotton. At one point they lived on a 258 acre farm. Katie had a wash woman who came in to help do laundry from time to time. Katie was known to help make medicine and give to those in need. Katie made her own soap as many ladies of the time did. She also loved to rinse her hair in rain water collected from a rain barrel. The house that Gaither and Katie lived in until their death was built by their son Erskine Watts and still stands today. Katie and Gaither had the majority of their children in Lincolnton NC. Their children are listed below Bertha Mae Watts b.3-27-1899 d. 1-27-1976 married Hubert Houser b. 2-28-1899 d. 2-1965 Essie Ellen Watts b. 12-23-1900 d. 1911 Poley Jacob Watts b. 1-13-1902 d. 11-29-1983 in California married Maggie Bell Smith Sallie Georgian Watts b. 8-06-1905 d. 8-05-1983 married Guy Gilbert Zannie Beaulah Watts b. 1-22-1908 d. 12-03-1989 in Rock Hill SC married William Armour Perry Otto Watts b. 9-19-1910 d. 5-16-1963 married Madeline Linehart Gaither Rosco Watts b. 9-19-1910 d. 3-1973 married Sue Wolf Claude Lyod Watts b. 9-29-1913 d. 2-1984 married Georgia Gopp Dorse Cloninger Watts b. 1-01-1916 d. 6-12-1973 never married Erskine Lee Watts b. 3-01-1918 d. 4-11-1989 married Anna Martin daughter Watts living Infant daughter b. 1927 stillborn Gaither and Katie Watts brought our family to Lincolnton and many are still there. To date in Lincolnton they have one daughter still living, one grandson still living and 10 grandchildren. They have several grandchildren and great grandchildren living in different parts of the country. They also have approximately 13 great great grandchildren living in Lincolnton. Our roots grow strong in the area and our memories of Katie and Gaither are still strong. They were the pioneers of our family who lead the way for us to prosper and grow. When you pass one of their relatives on the streets of Lincolnton today remember they had a great beginning. Wanda Owens Ramsey ...great grand-daughter