William John Watts (May 1, 1846 – September 4, 1907) was a businessman, lawyer and political figure in Quebec. He represented Drummond-Arthabaska in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec from 1874 to 1885 and Drummond from 1890 to 1892 and from 1897 to 1901 as a Conservative.

William John Watts
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec for Drummond-Arthabaska
In office
1874–1885
Preceded byWilfrid Laurier
Succeeded byJoseph-Éna Girouard
In office
1890–1892
Preceded byJoseph-Éna Girouard
Succeeded byJoseph Peter Cooke
In office
1897–1901
Preceded byJoseph Peter Cooke
Succeeded byJoseph Laferté
Personal details
Born(1846-05-01)May 1, 1846
Drummondville, Canada East
DiedSeptember 4, 1907(1907-09-04) (aged 61)
Drummondville, Quebec
RelationsRobert Nugent Watts, father

He was born in Drummondville, Canada East, the son of Robert Nugent Watts and Charlotte Sheppard. Watts studied at McGill University, was called to the Quebec bar in 1869 and set up practice in Drummondville. He also owned several mills. He was first elected to the Quebec assembly in an 1874 by-election held after Wilfrid Laurier was elected to the House of Commons. In 1882, he married Mary Louisa Millar. Watts resigned his seat in 1885 following the execution of Louis Riel. He was defeated by Joseph Peter Cooke when he ran for reelection in 1892. He resigned his seat in 1901 after he was named registrar for Montreal West and served until his death in Drummondville at the age of 61.

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  • "Biography". Dictionnaire des parlementaires du Québec de 1792 à nos jours (in French). National Assembly of Quebec.

References

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