Watters-History

Ada Louella Osborn was born in Industry, IL on March 24, 1867 in a multiple family. She had half-brothers by the names of Osborn and Smith. she told us of the youger children being adopted or given to other people and her Dad kept the older ones together until his death when she was, I believe, about 12. then she lived with her half-brother Elijah and his wife Cindy, until she married. It may have been Elijah's influence that they moved to Oregon. Cindy was a midwife and was with Mom when all of us kids were born and then in later years she visited often. I remember her but not Uncle Elijah. Two of Mom's half-brothers were Andy and Dave and her two sisters were Lourida and Almeda. I met both of them in1929, and kept in touch with them until there deaths. No contact since with Almeda's son Jack Tinker in stillwater, OK, who is now deceased.

     Charles Freemont Watters was born of Eben ans Mary Watters Dec. 28, 1859 at Kendell, Il, near Danville at the west edge of the state. He had 6 brothers and 5 sisters. with Ada being born in Industry, Il near Macomb near the east edge of the state. I do not know where or how they met, or where they were married , but they were married Oct. 8, 1884. They were probably married in Sheton, NB since the first 3 children, Elmer, Ethal, and Hazel, were born at Sheton. they moved by train to Lebanon, Or and had Everett and the rest of us were all born at Lebanon. They lived in town at first and later moved to a 48 acre timbered, partly cleared, farm.
    The old house, at the south end of the farm where a road was to be, was a converted barn with lean-toos, a large kitchen, porch and a large bedroom opening onto the porch. that was the big boy's room. I can't recall ever being in it.
    Much fruit was produced and vegetables grew profusely so Dad, with only a third grade education, learned canning and all surplus fruit and vegtables were canned and sold to the local store and shipped east to stores of former acquaintances. Sorghum molasses was made by Dad for many years as a side line.
     Timber was cut and sold and more land was cleared for planting and in about 1908-19010, a large cannery was built at the North end of the farm where the road was built. Two years later a large 10 room house with large porches were built nearby where Velma, the youngest son's wife still lives. Thats home! (As of this writting wilma and Velma are no longer living)
      The cannery was converted into a barn for a while and is now a pick & pack canning plant for frozen fruits which was designed by Kenneth and ran by Velma after his death for a while, and is presently is leased to serve the family and neighbors.