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- J. T. Bothwell, farmer, P. O. Clay City, was born in what is now Vinton, then Athens County, Ohio, on September 16, 1816, and is a son of James and Charlotte (Potter) Bothwell. The father was a native of Scotland and came to this country when eight years old, with his parents, who settled in Winchester, Va. After residing there a few years, the parents moved to Greensburg in the same State, where they died. The father grew to manhood there and married Miss Charlotte Potter, who was a native of Fayette County, Penn. The twain came to Athens County, Ohio, soon after their marriage and settled down.
Subject was the fourth of eleven children, of whom but six are now livingJ. T., J. K. and A. W. (in this county), G. B. (in Missouri), E. P. (in McArthar, Ohio) and Mrs. Catherine Foster (in Chillicothe, Ohio). The subscription schools of his native county furnished subject his means of education. He remained at home until about twenty-one, and then commenced working as a journeyman tailor, going from point to point.
In November, 1840, he came to Clay County, and first settled in Maysville. Here he followed numerous vocations. He first worked at his trade, then opened a general store, next accepted the position of station agent on the stage line, and finally became Postmaster.
He remained in Maysville until April, 1857, and then came to his present farm in this township. He first purchased 120 acres, which he has increased to about 1,800 acres in this and Wayne County. He now has about 800 acres in cultivation and thirty acres in orchard. Has been considerable of a stock dealer, but of late years has not paid so much attention to it.
Mr. Bothwell has been married three times. The first time in Ohio, in March, 1840, to Miss Priscilla Potter, a daughter of Charles Potter. This lady was the mother of five children, two of whom are now living, viz.: Charles H., in Missouri; and J. O, in Wayne County. Her death took place in November, 1847.
And he was married the second time, in Wayne County, in June, 1848, to Miss Indiana Mabry, a daughter of Benjamin Mabry, one of the early pioneer's of the adjoining county. This union resulted in ten children, eight of whom are now living, viz.: J. C. (in Colorado), Mrs. Alice Lownsdale (in Clay City), Mrs. Emma Foster (in Missouri), Mrs. Sallie Todd (in Shelby County, Ill.), Ben (in Indiana), and Samuel I., Clara and Kate (at home). This lady died in January, 1872.
And subject was married in July, 1873, to Miss Rebecca Louthridge. She is the daughter of Samuel Louthridge, a native of Scotland. Mr. Bothwell is a member of the Clay City Methodist Church, and Mrs. Bothwell of the Flora Presbyterian Church. In politics,Mr. Bothwell is identified with the Republican party.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
(Note:All censuses by John state his father was from Ireland instead of Scotland as in the article.)
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