Joseph H. Watowa is one of the successful farmers of Atchison county, and has one of the fine farms of that section in the State, consisting of 160 acres of well improved land under a high state of cultivation. His land is located in an ideal spot, and a fine tract of timber is located on the place. He is an extensive alfalfa grower and an all around practical modern farmer.
Mr. Watowa was married in 1892 to Miss Theresa, daughter of Joseph and Johanna Zeit, natives of Austria and early settlers in Atchison county, where they still reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Watowa have been born the following children: Mary, age nineteen; Johanna, age eighteen; Elizabeth, age seventeen; Helena, age sixteen; Joseph, age thirteen; Bertha, age twelve, and Catherine, age four. Mr. Watowa has lived on his present place for thirty-six years, and, although still a young man, he counts himself among the old landmarks of Atchison county. He is a Democrat, and has always supported the policies and principles of that party. He has taken a commendable part in local politics, and has served as town clerk for six years. He and his family are members of the St. Benedict Catholic Church at Atchison.
NATHAN T. VEATCH.
Nathan T. Veatch, superintendent of the Atchison city schools, is a native of Illinois. He was born near Astoria, Fulton county, and reared on a farm. After receiving a common school education, he began his career as a teacher in the district schools of Schuyler county, Illinois. Later he attended the State Normal school of Illinois, and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1881. He was principal of the graded school at Butler, Ill., for two years, and later was principal of an eighth grade ward school in Little Rock, Ark., for four years. He served as superintendent and principal of the Rushville city schools at Rushville, Ill., for fourteen years, and in 1901 was elected superintendent of the Atchison city schools, and has held that position to the present time.
Mr. Veatch was married in 1883 to Miss Lizzie Montgomery, of Rushville, Ill. She was a successful teacher prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Veatch have been born two children, as follows: Nathan T., Jr., born at Rushville, Ill., and is now a civil engineer, and a member of the firm of Black & Veatch, consulting engineers, Kansas City, Mo., and Francis M., born at Rushville, Ill., a sanitary engineer, in the employ of Kansas University.
JAMES L. ARMSTRONG.
James L. Armstrong, farmer and breeder of prize winning Percheron horses, was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, July 11, 1867. He comes of sturdy Irish stock, his parents having been born on the Emerald Isle. The father, James Armstrong, was born October 22, 1836, in County Sligo, Ireland. He was a farmer there, and at the age of twenty-four sailed for America and found his first job in Philadelphia. In a short time he came west and followed farming in Illinois. Several years later, in 1867, to be exact, he came to Atchison county, Kansas, and bought eighty acres of land near Huron, Kan., in Lancaster township. He farmed this place until his death in 1886. In addition to his farming he was an extensive breeder and feeder of cattle. His wife was also born in Ireland, the date of her birth being December 25, 1830. She died in 1902. They were married in Ireland and three children were born to them there. After coming to America five other children were born. Both parents were members of the Methodist church.
James L., Jr., the subject of this sketch, grew up in Lancaster township, and attended school in district No. 44. He remained at home with his parents until they died. He then bought 320 acres in Kapioma township and built an unusually fine residence at a cost of about $4,000. The interior is finished in white oak, and a cement basement underlies the house, and all modern conveniences have been installed, including hot and cold running water. He keeps all of his buildings painted and in repair so that everything around the place presents a fresh and orderly appearance. Horses are Mr. Armstrong’s hobby, and several times he has won prizes at the Effingham fair with his Percherons, and now has four thoroughbred Percherons registered. He is a shareholder in the Muscotah elevator. He is unmarried and has a man and his wife, who care for the household. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the Christian church and has affiliated himself with the Republican party. He is a member of the Percheron Society of America. He has received as high as $600 for Percheron horses bred on his place.
JOHN FERRIS.
A man’s usefulness in his community need not necessarily be confined to working entirely for his own individual aggrandizement, and there are frequently found conspicuous examples of good citizenship who are broad-minded and enterprising enough to extend their activities outward, so as to embrace the well-being of their fellowmen. John Ferris, banker and prosperous farmer, of Center township, Atchison county, is a shining example of broad and upright citizenship, with whom family, church and social ties have been preëminent during his long residence in the county. Successful as a farmer and stockman, his ambitions have led him into banking pursuits with considerable success to his credit. His deeply religious nature having endowed him with a love for church work, many fruitful years of his life have been devoted to Sunday school and church work, which have won him high esteem and infinite respect among the people of his neighborhood.