Denver County, History of Colorado, BIOS: BOTTERILL, Tom (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 September 9, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 148, 150 photo p. 149 TOM BOTTERILL Tom Botterill, president of Tom Botterill Incorporated, is numbered among the most progressive, popular and public-spirited citizens of Denver and among his friends is termed a "prince of good fellows." Moreover, his friends are found from coast to coast among automobile men. His business career has been characterized by steady progression and enterprise and his rise to his present position is the result of honest dealing, indefatigable energy and straightforwardness in every business transaction. He was born in Beverly, England, February 26, 1873, and is a son of Thomas and Jane (Clarkson) Botterill, who crossed the Atlantic to Canada. The father engaged in the hardware business in Winnipeg for some time but eventually sold out there and removed to Denver in 1889. In the latter city he turned his attention to the grocery business, in which he built up a large and gratifying trade, which he conducted to the time of his death in 1910. His wife survived him for a number of years, passing away in Denver, September 17, 1917. They had a family of four children: Frank, who is now living in Salt Lake City, Utah; Tom, of this review; Mrs. L. K. Reynolds, of Denver; and Mrs. D. J. Wylie, residing in Winnipeg. In his youthful days Tom Botterill was a pupil in the schools of Grimsby, England, and later he attended St. John's College in Winnipeg, Canada, from which he was graduated at the age of sixteen years. After leaving school he had ambitions to become a physician and therefore secured a position in a drug store at Medicine Hat, in Saskatchewan, Canada, to better fit himself for his chosen profession by training in that connection. He remained in that position for two years and by that time had lost all desire to enter upon the practice of medicine and surgery. He then came to Denver and secured a position with the Hendy- Meyer Machine Company, with which he was connected for a year. He afterward secured a position as a draftsman in an architect's office and at the same time he eked out his meager salary by delivering papers, establishing a newspaper route in connection with the Denver Times. He was thus engaged until the widespread financial panic of 1893. He after-ward became a bookkeeper tor a bicycle house and from that position rose steadily until he became proprietor of the establishment and won a very substantial measure of success. In 1907 he bought out the George M. Pierce Automobile Company and from that beginning developed a notably successful business, conducted under the name of Tom Botterill Incorporated, of which he is president. This company has one of the finest show rooms and offices in the west. The building was erected by Mr. Botterill and is a two-story structure, facing on Broadway and covering a quarter of an entire block. On Thirteenth street the building extends a half block. The rear part of the building is used as the repair department, which is the most thoroughly efficient in the state as regards modern machinery, floor space and expert mechanical skill. They do any and all classes of automobile repair work and the department is most liberally patronized. In 1917 Tom Botterill Incorporated was organized, with Mr. Botterill as president, Frank Botterill, of Salt Lake City, as vice president, and W. D. Wright, Jr., of Denver, as secretary and treasurer. The company has the exclusive agency for handling in this district the Fierce- Arrow, Hudson and Dodge cars and their business has grown year by year until it is one of extensive and gratifying proportions. Mr. Botterill is president of the Wind River Petroleum Company, also of the 'Wind River Refilling Company, of the Lander oil district of Wyoming. These companies are close corporations, the stock being sold only among the officers. They own and control a large body of oil lands in the Lander oil fields of Wyoming and have four wells now about ready for operation. The prospects indicate a very valuable oil property and tine business promises substantial and gratifying results. On the 12th of January, 1907, Mr. Botterill was united in marriage in Vancouver, British Columbia, to Miss Gertrude Clarkson, a daughter of William and Jane Clarkson. and they have become parents of two children: Thomas, Jr., who was born in Denver on September 17, 1908; and John, born March 9, 1911. Both are now attending school. In politics Mr. Botterill maintains an independent course, nor has he ever sought office. He renders, however, patriotic service as chairman of the Highways Transport Committee of the State Council of Defense. He is prominently known in club and social circles, holding membership in the Denver Athletic Club, of which he is a director, in the Rotary Club, in the Civic and Commercial Association, in the Merchants' Association, in the Automobile Dealers' Association, in the Lakewood Country Club and several others, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Episcopal church. He is one of the public-spirited citizens of Denver, interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the city and cooperating heartily in every movement that tends to advance the general good. His social nature has made him very popular and his unfeigned cordiality wins him friends wherever he goes. He may well be proud of what he has accomplished in a business way, but he may be prouder still of the fact that everyone is glad to call Tom Botterill a friend.