From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
publ. 1912, Page 1360-1362
 
EDWARD B. WATROUS.  The name of Edgar B. WATROUS needs no introduction to the 
people of Walworth county, having long been regarded as one of the 
representative and substantial citizens of Troy township, and his life record 
is well worth a careful perusal by those who have become discouraged on life's 
highway or who are hesitating where the ways divide.
 
Mr. WATROUS was born at East Troy, this county, July 14, 1859, and he is the 
son of John G. and Ann Elizabeth (BUNKER) WATROUS, both natives of New York, 
the father of Poughkeepsie and the mother of Deruyter.  The paternal 
grandfather was a boat builder on the Hudson river, and he also operated many 
boats, and freighted a great deal in the dearly days.  When a young man the 
father of the subject also operated boats.
 
Edgar B. WATROUS was educated in the public schools and he remained on the 
home place until he was about twenty years of age, then went to Milwaukee, 
soon afterwards finding employment on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
railroad as a passenger brakeman, and he worked at this for eight years.  
Before taking this position he worked for C. J. SMITH in his machine shop, now 
known as A. O. SMITH, large manufacturer of auto parts.  Mr. WATROUS worked as 
a machinist for about three years.  He married in Milwaukee and subsequently 
came to Troy township, Walworth county, and operated two hundred and twenty 
acres of land, then purchased in 1892 the farm of one hundred and fifty-five 
acres where he still lives, and in March 1893, he moved here.  He has put up 
excellent buildings and modern improvements and has met with success as a 
general farmer and breeder of thoroughbred Holstein cattle, and he also 
carries on dairying.
 
Mr. WATROUS was married on January 1, 1890, to Fannie Belle REYNOLDS, who was 
born in Detroit, Michigan, October 15, 1866, the daughter of James E. and 
Sarah A. (BLANCHARD) REYNOLDS, the father a native of Medina, New York, and 
the mother a native of Troy, Walworth county, Wisconsin.  Her maternal 
grandparents, George and Lydia Jane (TAYLOR) BLANCHARD, were born at Aurelius, 
near Auburn, New York.  He came alone in 1836 or 1837 to Walworth county, 
Wisconsin, being among the earliest pioneers and took up a farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres from the government, which he later added to until his place 
consisted on two hundred and twenty acres, which he improved and on which he 
spent the balance of his life.  He returned to New York and there married, and 
spent two years in his native state, then brought his family to his farm in 
Walworth county and here he and his wife died.
 
James E. REYNOLDS came to Walworth county from Detroit in 1868 and located on 
the BLANCHARD farm and lived there until 1890, then moved to Troy Center, 
where he lived eight years, then moved to East Troy and died there two years 
later, since which time his widow has made her home with Mr. WATROUS of this 
sketch.  James E. REYNOLDS left home when sixteen years of age and began 
railroad work, then for many years he was an express messenger on the Michigan 
Central between Detroit and Chicago.  After coming to Walworth county he 
engaged in farming and he was one of the earliest threshers here, being the 
first man to use a steam thresher in this county, but for some time he had 
used horse power.  Politically, he was a very active Republican and he held 
various offices.  Fraternally, he was a Mason.  He owned one of the very first 
automobiles in this county and was one of the first to run one here.
 
Edward B. WATROUS affiliates with the Methodist church at Troy Center, and 
fraternally he belongs to the Free and Accepted Masons, and he is a charter 
member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Troy Center, and he and his wife 
belong to the Order of the Eastern Star, as did also Mr. and Mrs. REYNOLDS, 
both ladies having been worthy matrons of the local lodge, and they all have 
held offices in these organizations.  Mrs. WATROUS belongs to the Royal 
Neighbors at Troy Center, being a charter member of that lodge and also the 
local Eastern Star chapter.  Mrs. REYNOLDS organized the Eastern Star at East 
Troy and also at Elkhorn.
 
Mr. WATROUS is a Republican and he has served as township treasurer for two 
years.  He is a member of the County and American Holstein Friesian 
Associations.
 
Mrs. WATROUS has been the organist of the Troy Center church since its 
organization and has taken the lead in that branch of the church work.  For 
the past five years she has been president of the Ladies Aid Society in the 
church here.  As a girl she attended Milwaukee College, known as the Milwaukee 
Downer College.  She studied music two years, then took private lessons under Prof. H. PHILMORE for three seasons  Professor PHILMORE now conducts various conservatories in Los Angeles.  Mrs. WATROUS taught music successfully for fifteen years, having classes in all the nearby towns.  While a student in Milwaukee she gave recitals, which she has continued at time since organizing her classes.  She has unusual musical talent according to those who have heard her.  She is also an artist of recognized talent, being now the only painter in oils of any note in this county.
 
Submitted by Carol