Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally Published 1885
Chapman Bros.
Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

JAMES H. BOOTH

James H. Booth, farmer on section 9, Newton Township, was born June 27, 1823, in Harrison Co., W. Va. He is the son of William and Deborah (Hart) Booth. His father was a Major in the war of 1812, and his title was recognized as long as he lived. In 1835 the family emigrated to Ohio, where they lived two years in Vinton County. They went thence to Cass Co., Ind., where they remained till 1839, and in that year journeyed to Illinois, transporting the family and household belongings with the aid of ox teams. There were 11 persons, - the parents and nine children. They made their journeys from Virginia to Ohio, and thence to Indiana, by the same method, carrying their provisions, cooking by the way and sleeping in their wagons.

The senior Booth made a claim on section 9 of township 20, range 3, now Newton. He built a log structure, 16x16 feet in size, for a dwelling, which the family occupied a few years, when it was replaced by a frame house. William Booth died in 1854. His wife survived him 20 years.

Mr. Booth, subject of this sketch, secured a claim on a section adjoining that on which his father located. He was married July 6, 1848, to Susanna E. Rexroad. She was born Dec. 21, 1830, in Virginia. After the event of his marriage, Mr. Booth located on his estate, which he occupied until his death, March 17, 1884. He was a skillful farmer and an excellent manager, and his farm was considered one of the best conducted in the township, being particularly noticeable for itstidy, well regulated appeaarance. The buildings are of good class, and the place is made attractive and valuable by fuit, shad and ornamental trees. In 1850 Mr. Booth went to California overland, traveling with ox teams, as he had done in 1835, in 1837 and in 1839, thus virtually crossing nearly the entire distance between the Atlantc and Pacific Oceans with temas of oxen, an experience paralleled but rarely, if ever, in the history of this continent. He spent two years in California, engaged in mining and in other employments. In 1852 he started for home, sailing from San Francisco, but the vessel was wrecked and the crew ent back to Sacramento. Mr. Booth returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans.

In political faith he was a Republican. Mr. And Mrs. Booth became members of the Presbyterian Church in 1858.

There were two children by the first marriage, - Dyer, a resident of Barton Co., MO and Mile, who resides in Huron Co., Dak. The second marriage of Mr. Booth, to Cinderellla Burton, took place June 29, 1857. She ws born in Madison, Wis., and is the daughter of James N. And Martha (Wallace) Burton. Her parents were born in Tennessee and belonged to the pioneer element of Wisconsin. They settled in Rock Island County in 1840. Eight children were born of the second marriage, - Otis, Lucy, Aura, Deborah, James M., Jessie B., Leslie K. and Murray Houston.

Related Link: Booth Family Photos