Apparently Dan Patch's first trainer/rider was John Wattles from Benton County. In my family line I have a John O Wattles,b 1861 d 1928. He was married to Lulu Harrison Wattles, with children Geneva, Claude and Charles. They lived in Grant Township, Benton County. Does anyone have any info on this family and if it could be the same John Wattles who trained Dan Patch.
Thanks,
Dennis Shaw

Dennis. Can't say for sure but don't think you John O is the trainer. In the 1900 census there is an older John Wattles, born in Ohio in Aug 1827 who is listed as a horse trainer. Your John is listed as a farmer throughout the years. Don

John O's father was John. I have him born in Ohio in 1828, his wifes name was Leah. Their children were John O, Amanda, Letta ,and Flora. Maybe this is the one.

Taking a closer look, I think the father of my John O Wattles was Charles Wattles, and I believe he may have been the brother of John Wattles the horse trainer. Their parents would have been Lebbeus and Lucretia. I'll have to do some more research.

I found a family tree which indicates you are right on all points, and the elder John was the trainer in question. The family tree was attributed to marybowen30. Don

Dennis:
Just out of curiosity, I checked the obituary for your John O. Wattles and it didn;t mention anything about Dan patch. That doesn't mean that he didn't train or ride Dan patch - the obit just doesn't mention it.

Mike Holder

Hi Mike,
Thanks for your response. It wasn't John O who trained Dan Patch, but his uncle John Charles Wattles. John O's father was Charles Wattles, his father was Lebbeus. Charles and John Charles were brothers. They all lived in Benton County, John Charles in Oxford. Can you give me the link to John O's obituary? His is more of my direct decendent then John Charles. John O married Lulu Harrison who was the sister of my GGGrandmother Hannah Harrison Grigg.
Thanks,
Dennis

Dennis:
There's no lionk that I know of. I just was in Indy that day and I looked up the obit on microfilm.

Mike