William Miller Botkin

As printed in 1882

WILLIAM MILLER BOTKIN.

William Miller Botkin, a farmer and son of Hugh and Rachel K. Botkin, was born in Ramlolph County, Ind., July 7, 1823. He is the eleventh of a family of thirteen children, of whom seven are now living. His father was born in Pendleton County, Va., November 17, 1774, and his mother in Knox County, Tenn., February 25, 1780. They were married in Knox County. Tenn., in the year 1801, and removed to Wayne County, Ind., in 1815, and to Randolph ('county in 1817, where they settled on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch; his father entered 120 acres of land, and continued to live on the farm until his death; his father died February 27, 1836, and his mother January 24, 1857.

The subject of this sketch was burn and raised upon the farm he now owns. His boyhood wag uneventful, and differed but little from that of the boyhood of farmers' sons in early days, save, probably, that he was noted for his unth-ing industry in his assistauco in clearing his father's farm from the unbroken wilderness. These industrious habits formed in youth furnished the foundation of Mr. Bolkin's success and usefulness in after years.

His educational advantages were confined to the common schools of West

Botkin possesses a fair common school education, and has acquired a vast amount of general information from the reading of the literature of the day and his associations with his fellow-men.

He was but thirteen years of age when his fiither died, but lived on the farm with his mother until he was twenty-one; after which he hired out by the month as a farm laborer until he was twenty-seven, when he was first united in marriage to Martha A. Hiatt, daughter of Louis and Charity Hiatt, of Clinton County, Ohio, December 20, 1849.

After his marriage, he settled on his father's homestead, which he had commenced to purchase from the heirs; be continued the purchase of shares until the entire estate came into his possession.

By hia first wife Mr. Botkin is the father of seven children, of whom five are now living — Emily C, born October 20, 1860, and deceased November 11, 1878; Mary v., born July 25, 1858; Louis A., born November 24, 1854; Hugh O., born May 4, 1857, and deceased in the spring of 1859 (was burned to death); Oliver 1' born August 1,5, 1859; Elmer E., born November 10, 1801; Ira M., born December 14, 1863.

He was called to mourn the death of his wife September 27, 1864. She was a faithful companion and mother and a true and tried friend. Her frugality and industry were important factors in Mr. Botkin's success in life. She was an acceptable and honest member of the United Brethren Church, and remained faithful until death.

After the death of his wife, Mr. Botkin hired a housekeeper, and continued with his children to live upon his farm until his second marriage, which occurred October 16, 1808, to Dooia C. Butler, the daughter of William and Thirza T. Butler, of Campbell County, Vo. She removed with her parents from Virginia to this county in the year 1847, when she was but two years of age. Her parents are both living, and are honored citizens of this county.

By his second wife Mr. Botkin is the father of three children, all of whom aroliving— Martha A., born July 18, 1809; Thirza K., born June 27, 1873; John W., bom July 4, 1878.

Mr. Botkin is the owner and proprietor of a farm of 320 acres of most excellent land, of which a greater portion is under a high state of cultivation. His farm is beautifully located, sloping gently to the south and east, well

Residence: of F M BARR Weti " /er Tr Randolph Co Ind

Mrs. Martha J. Hunt.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Botkin has been a life-long Republican, and was honored in 187C by being elected to the office of County Commissioner for the Middle District; he held this office for one term, and served the county faithfully and lionetly, giving entire satisfaction to his constituents.

Mr. and Mrs. Botkin are acceptable members of the M. E. Church, belonging to the Huntsville charge. Mr. It. i.i also a devoted member of the Hunt- ville Lodge, No. 248, F. & A. M.

Mr. and Mrs. B. arc happily situated, surrounded with comfort, are honored members of society, and widely known for their hospitality.

As printed in History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.