My Genealogy Hound

EDWARD R. BOOTEY, who, in addition to the reputation of being a successful advocate, enjoys popular distinction as one of the ablest criminal lawyers of western New York, is a son of Simon and Ann (Convoyne) Bootey, and was born in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., April 16, 1839. The Bootey name has been well and favorably known for several generations in Cambridgeshire, England, while the Convoyne family traces its remote American ancestor back to honorable parentage under the rule of the “Grand Monarque” of France. John Bootey (grandfather) was born and reared near Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, where he lived a quiet and honest life, and where he died the serene and peaceful death of a Christian. His excellent character and consistent walk in life so recommended him as being a man safe to trust that he was appointed as superintendent of a large landed estate, which position he held until well advanced in years, when by an accident he was disabled for the remainder of his life. He was a member of one of the churches which were in opposition to the established Church of England. His children were: John, Edward, William, Elizabeth, Fannie, Mary, Philis, and Simon. Of these Edward and Simon (father) came to the United States. Simon Bootey was born in 1801, and came in 1834 to Jamestown, where he resided until his death in 1875. The farm which he owned and tilled is now within the borough limits, and most of the land is covered with buildings. He was an old-line whig until the Republican party was organized, when he joined its ranks and supported its principles as long as he lived. He was a life-long opponent of human servitude, denounced negro slavery, and was one of the early abolitionists of Chautauqua county. He married Ann Convoyne, a daughter of Robert Convoyne, and they had seven children. The three oldest were named Rebecca, Nathan and Edward, and, dying in infancy, the next three children were given respectively the names of the deceased ones. The seventh child was called Mary Ann.

Edward R. Bootey was reared at Jamestown, where he received his education in the academy at that place. Leaving school in the spring of 1860, he entered the office of Cook and Lockwood, and commenced the study of law, which he had prosecuted but one year, when the late civil war burst in all its fury and desolation upon the land. When President Lincoln's call for troops was issued, Mr. Bootey left the, law office, and on September 10, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Ninth New York Cavalry. He served in the Peninsular campaign, under General McClellan, and was honorably discharged on December 8, 1862. He then returned home, resumed his interrupted law studies, and was admitted to the Chautauqua county bar in 1865. Immediately after admission he commenced the practice of his profession at Jamestown, which he has followed ever since. His political career commenced with his election, in 1865, as justice of the peace, which office his increasing law practice soon compelled him to resign. In 1871 he was elected by his party as district attorney, and at the close of his term of office he was placed on what was known as the people's ticket. His personal popularity proved a very important factor in the campaign, and he was triumphantly re-elected by the largest majority of any of the successful candidates in the field. When his second term as district attorney expired, in 1878, he declined all offers of a renomination, and resumed his law practice, which had then become so extensive as to require nearly all of his time. While devoted to his profession, and giving his undivided attention and best thought to the interests of his many clients, yet no man takes a deeper interest in the political affairs or the material prosperity of the Empire State than Edward R. Bootey.

In 1876 he united in marriage with Emma Young, of Busti, this county, and they have one child, Edward R. Bootey, Jr., born November 25, 1878.

In politics Mr. Bootey has always been an unswerving republican. Not only does he command the full support of his own party, but he also has a strong following independent of political consideration, which has been drawn to him by his integrity of character, his honesty of purpose, and his efficient services when employed in a public capacity. He is a member of James M. Brown Post, No. 285, Grand Army of the Republic. As a criminal lawyer Mr. Bootey has been very successful, and ranks with the ablest of that class in the southwestern part of the State. For the last score of years there has not been an important criminal case in the courts of the county but what he has appeared in for either the prosecution or the defence. He was district attorney in 1872, at the time of the celebrated Charles Marlow trial. He thoroughly studies his cases, clearly grasps every important point, and closely scans every fact however apparently trifling. By these means he often constructs a plea of seeming irresistible force, and with swiftness or ease, as the case demands, frequently detects falsehood and confounds villainy. His success as a pleader has been remarkable, his standing as a citizen is very high, and his popularity with the people is founded upon the integrity, energy, honesty and fearlessness in the cause of right, for which he has always been distinguished. His house is a pleasant one and he enjoys life abundantly.