Person:George Watrous (1)

WATROUS, George Holder B (sp Cora B) b 3 Jan 1862 Naples NY d 9 Oct 1921

After an illness lasting since April, 1920, when he contracted influenza, George H. Watrous, postmaster of Bellingham since March 9, 1916, when he was appointed by President Wilson, died at his home, 1208 Gambier street, at 7:10 o'clock yesterday morning, at the age of 59 years. Mr. Watrous had been in bad health for months, though for the last few weeks he had shown improvement. A week ago yesterday he contracted a cold on an automobile ride and after that grew worse. The week before he had made daily trips to the postoffice, where he always insisted on appearing as long as he was able to do so.

Mr. Watrous had lived in Bellingham more than thirty years, coming here from New York in the summer of 1891 and settling in what was then Fairhaven. He had filled a postmastership at Naples, N. Y., and during Cleveland's last administration he was postmaster at Fairhaven. He was reappointed to the Bellingham office by President Wilson in 1920, but the appointment was not confirmed. Six weeks ago he resigned, but no recess appointment having been made, he was still in charge of the local office. His death calls for the appointment of an acting postmaster and inspectors are expected to arrive in Bellingham today to check up the postoffice and to prepare recommendations to the postmaster general. Meanwhile, Assistant Postmaster Matthew Mark is in charge.

Mr. Watrous is survived by two daughters, Miss Gene Watrous, who is assistant in physical education for women at the Normal school, and Mrs. Mary F. Herrold, also of Bellingham; one son, Willis H. Watrous, of Berkeley, Calif,; two sisters, Miss Francis Watrous, Bellingham and Mrs. Florence Flansburgh, of Genesco [Geneseo], N. Y.; one brother, Henry Watrous, of Los Angeles, and five grandchildren. Mrs. Watrous died here on November 23, 1917.

Holding membership in two lodges and as many clubs and twice a member of the city park board, Mr. Watrous was an active fraternal and community worker. He was a charter member of Fairhaven Lodge, No. 56, Knights of Pythias, and was an Elk, belonging to Bellingham lodge, No. 194. He was a member of the old Fairhaven Industrial club and later of the Kulshan club. Mr. Watrous was always a faithful attendant at the park board's meetings and took a keen interest in its work. He served one year recently as its chairman. Politically Mr. Watrous was a democrat and he served his party faithfully. In Bellingham he was one of the democratic leaders and his counsels were always sought by his political colleagues.

By profession, Mr. Watrous was an expert accountant and for years he was in the real estate, insurance and mining business in this city. He was a man of industry and had a conscientious conception of duty. As postmaster he worked eight hours daily as long as his health permitted and thereafter labored as long as he could. He often found it hard to face the day's work, but he never winced, and frequently he was at the office when he ought to have been in bed. He included in his work the postoffice's accounting and he never spared himself at any time. The funeral will be held at the residence Wednesday at 2:30 p. m., with the Rev. James Wilson, pastor of St. James Presbyterian church, officiating. Interment will be under Harry O. Bingham's direction. Recognition of Mr. Watrous' death was given at this morning's assembly of the Normal school and the sympathy of the school was extended to Miss Gene Watrous of the faculty.

George H. Watrous, who is engaged in an extensive real estate and insurance business at Fairhaven, Washington, and is one of the prominent and substantial citizens of this section, was born January 3, 1862, at Naples, New York. His father was Henry H. Watrous, who was born in Connecticut, of an old colonial family which came to America from England in 1630. In England the name was spelled Waterhouse, but in the western world has been contracted to its present orthography. Henry Watrous was for forty years a merchant at Naples, New York. His wife was Caroline A. Brownell, who was also born and married in Connecticut. The Brownell family is one of the old and honorable ones of that state, dating beyond Revolutionary days. She still resides in Genesee County, New York, but her husband died in 1891. The surviving members of their family, exclusive of our subject, are: Henry A., a farmer in California; Florence, wife of Frank Flansburgh, a farmer of Genesee County, New York; Effie, a resident of Genesee County; and Fannie C., a trained nurse in New York city.

George H. Watrous was educated in the public schools of Naples, New York, and graduated from the high school, concluding his education in 1880. He was then employed for nine years in the Naples post office. In November, 1889, he came to Whatcom County, Washington, and located in the real estate and insurance business at Fairhaven, and continued to successfully conduct it until in December, 1893, he was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland. He filled the office in a capable and popular manner until 1898, and then resumed his former business, in which he handles some of the most valuable property of all kinds in this vicinity, and represents in insurance such companies as the North British and Mercantile, the New York Life and others.

Mr. Watrous has been a prominent member of the Fairhaven Commercial Club, and for two years was its second vice-president. In politics he is a Democrat, and takes a very active interest in the movements of his party, and has been delegate and member of many important committees at various conventions ever since locating in the state. During 1901-2 he was a member of the Whatcom county state central committee, and is in the confidence of the leading men of the party through Washington. He has been honored with a number of city positions, has been a member of the city council, and in 1901 was councilman-at-large.

On August 26, 1885, Mr. Watrous was married to Cara R. Buck, who was born at Naples, New York, and is a daughter of E. W. Buck. One son and two daughters have been born to this marriage, namely: Willis H., Mary F. and Genie J., all students. Fraternally Mr. Watrous is prominent in the order of Knights of Pythias, in which he has held all the offices in the subordinate lodge. Many times he has been in attendance on the Grand Lodge as a delegate, has been keeper of the records of Fairhaven Lodge No. 56, and is also district deputy. Mr. Watrous during the past ten years has become largely interested in mining, and owns promising properties in Mt. Baker district and some rich ones in the Kamloops, British Columbia district.