JUDGE HENRY H. BOOTH, Allegan Village, Allegan Co., Michigan

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History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan, with Illustrations and 
Biographical Sketches of their Prominent Men and Pioneers.
Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co.  1880.  Press of J. B. Lippincott & 
Co., Philadelphia.

The subject of this memoir, from all that can be gathered from his 
associates in life, stood far up the scale in all that pertains to true 
manhood, and among the many self-made men who have lived and died in 
the county of Allegan, no one is more justly entitled to a prominent 
place in these biographical sketches that Judge Booth.  Yet, perhaps, 
no one among them all cared less or strove less for what men commonly 
call success in life, or fame and fortune, than he, and, perhaps, no 
one among themm, laying aside mere selfish considerations, cared more 
or strove more than he for what he thought to be the best good of his 
fellow-men.  In his character there seemed to be a strange mingling of 
manly sterness and womanly tenderness; kind and gentle almost to a 
fault, yet, when he thought the occasion required, he could rebuke with 
severity.  In his life and aims he was more the philanthropist than the 
philosopher.  His motives were not always quite understood by those 
with whom he had daily intercourses, yet they knew that he was always 
purely good at heart and true, and if what he said and did did not 
always meet with their approval, yet he always commanded their highest 
esteem.
  Judge Booth was born in Dorset, Bennington Co., Vt., April 3, 1803.  
His father, Zachary Booth, was a saddler by occupation, and reared a 
family of three children, the judge being the only son.  But little is 
known of his boyhood days.  He was early taught to rely upon his own 
resources, and received a common-school education.  He acquired the 
trade of a cabinet-maker, and at the age twenty-one he removed with his 
parents and sisters to Weedsport, N. Y., where he followed his trade, 
maintaining the family.  Here he became an earnest worker for the 
church, and in those early days of temperance reform he became an 
earnest advocate of the cause, frequently delivering temperance 
lectures.
  In October, 1836, he emigrated to Allegan County with his family.  He 
first engaged in the produce business, in which he remained one year, 
buying his stock in the country and hauling it to Allegan himself.  The 
following year he was deputy county clerk, and so well did he discharge 
the duties of the office that he was elected for the succeeding term, 
and was again re-elected.  Upon the expiration of the term he was 
called to fill the office of county judge, and it is stated that during 
his term of office, which extended over several years, not an appeal 
was taken from his decision.  As a jurist he manifested clearness of 
perception, sound common sense, and indefatigable perseverance, and 
had he received a legal education he would no doubt have obtained 
celebrity as a lawyer.  Previous to the expiration of his judgeship he 
was appointed agent of the Boston Company, in whose employ he remained 
up to within seventeen months of his death, which occurred June 22, 
1867.
  One very marked feature in the life of Judge Booth was the deep 
interest he took in educational matters.  He was ever ready to assist 
others to obtain through competent teachers what he secured only by 
labor and privation.  In 1856 he built the Pine Grove Seminary wholly 
at his own expense and purely as a benevolent enterprise.  He employed 
the most experienced teachers, the school soon obtained an enviable 
reputation, and up the the time of his failing health he exercised a 
watchful care over its interests.
  In social life he was noted for his hospitality and good nature.  He 
possessed in a rare degree that quality of bearing and manner, united 
with a comeliness of person and a fine presence, which not only 
favorably impressed the stranger, but endeared him to those who enjoyed 
his society.  He was genial, patient, and forbearing, and was actuated 
by those higher motives which are always recognized and felt when 
systematically and constantly exercised, as they were during his long 
life.  Edward Buck, of Boston, who had an intimate acquaintance with 
his, says, "He was a valuable man in any community, a man of great 
energy and sympathy, and in business matters prompt and active."  He 
will be remembered for his genial faith in the Christian religion; he 
became a member of the Congregational Church at the time of its 
organization, and was an earnest and devoted supporter of it during his 
life.  In his domestic relations he his life furnishes a bright example 
of all that adorns the character of a devoted husband and a 
warm-hearted, faithful friend. As an energetic, enterprising, and 
useful citizen he had no superiors and few equals.  Oct.30, 1834, he 
was married at East Bloomfield, N. Y., to Miss Ruth Elizabeth, daughter 
of Anson Munson, Esq., one of the prominent citizens and pioneers of 
that place.  Her portrait, so full of character, may be seen on another 
page.  She is a woman of rare personal excellence, of a deeply 
religious nature.  She was one of the first members of the 
Congregational Church of Allegan, and closely identified with its 
various charitable and religious enterprises, and a worthy counterpart 
of her husbands in all the salient points of his character.