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Below is a family biography included in The History of Jasper County, Missouri published by Mills & Company in 1883.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOHN L. BOTTENFIELD, furniture and upholstery dealer, of the firm of Leidy & Bottenfield, was born May 19, 1844, in Knox county, Ohio. His father, now a resident of Carthage, was a native of Pennsylvania, having settled in Ohio about the year 1818. His mother’s maiden name was Ellen D. Simons, a native of Ohio, and died in 1880. J. L. Bottenfield was reared in the Buckeye State for the most part. In 1867 he immigrated to the Southwest and settled in Carthage, Missouri, and for two years he was in business with A. M. Drake. In 1861 he crossed the plains, and in 1869 returned to Ohio, where he married Miss Rebecca E. Baker, of Licking county. In December, 1869, he returned to Carthage and again joined Mr. Drake in business, with whom he remained till 1871, when he bought the Davis & Murphy store of agricultural implements. In the spring of 1872 he became associated with J. G. Leidy, who was in the furniture business on the east side of the square. They conducted both business interests until 1874, when they retired from the implement business and built the furniture factory in connection with two of Mr. Leidy’s brothers. Mr. Bottenfield has been connected constantly with the business ever since, and now owns a two-thirds interest, doing a business of $50,000 per annum. Mr. Bottenfield came to Carthage a poor boy, but by industry and perseverance has taken first rank among the solid business men of Carthage. He owns a large and elegant residence on the corner of Grant Street and Grove Avenue. He has served as city treasurer for two terms with general satisfaction. His family is composed of his wife and three children. Mr. Bottenfield is now engaged in the transfer and dray business, having sold out his interest in the furniture business.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in The History of Jasper County, Missouri published in 1883.  For the complete description, click here: Jasper County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Jasper County, Missouri family biographies here: Jasper County, Missouri Biographies

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