Joseph H. Bottum Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1804-1805 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.


	JOSEPH H. BOTTUM, state senator from Faulk county, comes of 
sterling old colonial stock in both the paternal and maternal lines and 
both families are of staunch English extraction. Records extant show 
that two of the maternal ancestors were valiant soldiers in the 
Continental line during the war of the Revolution, having been 
participants in the historic battle of Bunker Hill. The original 
patronymic in the agnatic line was Longbottom, the initial syllable 
having been dropped after the establishment of the family in America.

	The subject of this sketch is a native of the Empire state having 
been born in West Bloomfield, Ontario county, New York, on the 26th of 
September 1853, and being of the eldest of the eight children of Henry 
C. and Helen M. (Burnham) Bottum, both of whom were born and reared in 
Vermont, as was also the paternal grandfather of our subject, Roswell 
Bottum, who was a man of prominence and influence in the old Green 
Mountain state. having served for a number of terms as a member of its 
legislature and also held other offices-of distinctive public trust and 
responsibility. The original American progenitors settled in the 
Massachusetts colony and the name has been long and honorably identified 
with the annals of New England. As a young man the father of the subject 
removed to the state of New York, locating in Ontario county, where he 
was engaged in the mercantile business until 1854, when he came west to 
Wisconsin, settling in Fond du Lac county, and became one of the 
pioneers of that section. He was prospered in his efforts and developer 
a large and valuable farm, which he still owns. He has always taken a 
prominent part in the politics of the county and state and was for three 
years a member of the Wisconsin legislature. He has attained the age of 
nearly eighty years and is admirably preserved in mind and body, while 
he is. honored as one of the venerable pioneers of the Badger state.

	Joseph H. Bottum passed his boyhood days on the homestead farm in 
Wisconsin, having been an infant in arms at the time of his parents' 
removal to that state, and his early educational discipline was secured 
in the public schools, after which he completed a course of study in 
Ripon College, in the town of that name, being there graduated as a 
member of the class of 1877 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. 
Shortly afterward he entered the law office of the firm of Shepherd & 
Shepherd, of Fond du Lac, the interested principals being leading 
members of the bar of Wisconsin, and under their able preceptorship he 
continued his technical study of the law until 1880, when he was duly 
admitted to the bar. He immediately came to what is now the state of 
South Dakota, locating in the city of Sioux Falls, where he remained 
until the spring of 1882, when he removed to Spink county, where he was 
engaged in newspaper work until March, 1883, when he located in the 
village of La Foon, five miles east of the present county seat, and was 
there engaged in the practice of his profession until January, 1887, 
when the railroad was completed through Faulkton, whereupon he removed 
to this point, where he has ever since been prominent in professional 
work and public and civic affairs, being one of the most successful 
members of the county bar and being held in the highest regard in the 
community, as is evident from the dignified official position which he 
has been called upon to fill, in the gift of the people. The county was 
organized in 1883, and Mr. Bottum had the distinction of being its first 
register of deeds, La Foon being then the county seat, while he served 
as state's attorney for the county from 1890 to 1894, inclusive, making 
an enviable record as a public prosecutor. In 1898 he was elected to 
represent his county in the state senate, serving during the sixth 
general assembly, and in 1902 he was again chosen for this responsible 
preferment, being a member of the assembly at the time of this writing 
and having gained a reputation as a conservative and conscientious 
legislator and as one thoroughly devoted to the interests of the people 
of the state. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason, and is also 
identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. Senator Bottum has taken a deep interest in local affairs, 
particularly in the cause of popular education, and at the present time 
he is president of the board of education.

	In June, 1885, Senator Bottum was united in marriage to Miss 
Sylvia G. Smith, who was born and reared in Missouri, and who is a 
daughter of Judge Darius S. Smith. Of this union have been born seven 
children, namely: Nellie. Fannie, Dora, Emily, Julia, Roswell and Joseph 
H. Both parents are members of the Congregational church.