This family name was familiar among the early settlers of three states
and its members figured both in Ohio and Illinois during the pioneer period.
James Bothwell, the founder, was a Pennsylvanian, who migrated into Ohio at
an early day, settled on a farm purchased from the government, reared a
family and ended his earthly career about 1863. His son, James K. Bothwell,
was born in Vinton county, Ohio, near McArthur, during the first quarter of
the nineteenth century and removed to Illinois in 1840, settling at old
Maysville, then the county seat of Clay. He was a cabinet maker by trade,
but afterward engaged in the mercantile business. In 1863 he removed his
store to Clay City and continued in business until 1887, when he retired to
his farm of seventy acres, within the corporate limits of the town. At this
homestead he passed peacefully away, May 24, 1899, in the eighty-first year
of his age. He married Mary A. Brissenden, who was born near Albion, in
Edwards county, Illinois, her parents being of English stock. She died July
16, 1898, at the age of seventy-seven years. This pioneer couple had seven
children, of whom four are living, the complete list being as follows: Henry
C., subject of this sketch; J. Homer, an attorney at Sedalia, Missouri;
Florence: Camilla, deceased, and William, who died when ten years old: James
K., in the loan and insurance business at Seattle, Washington, and Frank,
deceased.
Henry C. Bothwell, the oldest child, was born in old
Maysville, April 11, 1847. He was reared in Clay City, where he attended the
local schools. During the years 1863-64, he was a student at McKendree
College in Lebanon, Illinois, afterwards attended Nelson's Commercial
College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and then accepted a clerkship in his father's
store. Holding this position and later as a partner, he spent the years from
1865 to 1886 in this line of business. In the year last mentioned he became
a candidate on the Republican ticket for Treasurer of the county, and was
elected. In 1894 he was re-elected to the same office, and served during the
four following years. After retiring he devoted some time to the abstract
business, continuing in this line until 1899, when he was made Chief Clerk
of the Joliet Penitentiary, which position he held two and a half years.
Returning to Clay City he formed a partnership under the firm name of
Bothwell & Gill, and this business engaged his attention until 1907, when he
received the appointment of post master at Clay City. This was no new
experience, as he had previously served as postmaster for sixteen
consecutive years, while in the mercantile business. Besides this, he had
served as Tax Collector of Clay City township a number of times and was
county collector for eight years. He was always popular and successful both
in his business pursuits and official holdings, being regarded as one of the
prominent and influential men of the county. His fraternal relations are
extensive and conspicuous, especially in the Masonic Order. He is a member
of Blue Lodge No. 488 at Clay City, Chapter at Flora, Commandery at Olney
and the Shrine at Medina Temple in Chicago. He is also an Odd Fellow and a
Woodman.
In 1869 Mr. Bothwell married Mary C. Myers, who was born
near Wilmington, Ohio. They lost four children in infancy, but have three
living, to wit: Lucy, E. L., who is practicing law at St. Joseph, Missouri,
and Ada, a teacher in the Hillsboro (Illinois) high school.
Extracted 27 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay & Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 306-307
| Fayette | Effingham | Jasper |
| Marion |
 |
Richland |
| Wayne |
Clay County ILGenWeb Copyright
Design by 