Joseph H. Bottum Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1080-1083 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				HON. JOSEPH H. BOTTUM. 

	Hon. Joseph H. Bottum, now serving for the sixth year as circuit 
judge, is well known both as a lawyer and law maker and his record 
reflects credit upon the profession which he has chosen as a life work. 
He was born in West Bloomfield, September 26, 1853, a son of Henry C. 
and Helen M. (Burnham) Bottum, natives of Vermont, the former born in 
January, 1826, while the latter was three or four years his junior. 
Henry C. Bottum always followed the occupation of farming, removing 
from Vermont to New York, but soon afterward went to Fond du Lac 
county, Wisconsin, settling near Ripon, where he continued active in 
the work of the fields for many years, winning success by his well 
directed efforts. Appreciation of his worth and ability on the part of 
his fellow citizens led to his election to various local offices and 
for three terms he represented his district in the state legislature. 
He died in 1913, while his widow now resides in Ripon. 

	In a family of six children Judge Bottum was the eldest. He 
attended Ripon College, Ripon, Wisconsin, graduating in 1877. In early 
life he engaged in teaching and also took up the study of law, which he 
followed in Wisconsin until 1880, when he came to South Dakota. He was 
admitted to the bar of this state in that year and first settled in 
Sioux Falls, where he practiced for a year. He afterward removed to 
Spink county and for a year was connected with the Ashton bar. In the 
spring of 1883 he arrived in Faulk county. He took up his abode at La 
Foon, which was then the county seat, remaining there until the 
railroad was built through in 1886, when the county seat was removed to 
Faulkton. He took up his abode in the town at that time and has since 
made it his home. In the intervening years he has continued in the 
general practice of law save when his entire time has been occupied 
with official duties. 

	In politics he has ever been an earnest republican, giving 
stalwart support to the principles of the party, and upon that ticket 
he was elected the first register of deeds of Faulk county, serving in 
the years 1883 and 1884. He has also been states attorney for three 
terms and in 1899 was chosen to represent his district in the state 
senate, where he made so creditable a record that he was reelected in 
1903, remaining a member of the upper house of the general assembly for 
four years. He was connected with much important constructive 
legislation and left the impress of his individuality upon laws which 
were enacted during that period. In 1909 on the formation of the tenth 
judicial circuit he was appointed judge of that circuit, has since been 
twice elected to that position and is now serving upon the bench for 
the sixth year. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial and are 
characterized by a masterful grasp of every problem presented for 
solution. 

	In June, 1885, Judge Bottum was married to Miss Sylvia Smith, who 
was born in Jefferson county, Missouri, a daughter of Darius S. and 
Adelia M. (Williams) Smith, natives of North Carolina and Missouri 
respectively. The father was also at one time a legislator of South 
Dakota, serving in the state senate through the term beginning in 1895. 
He was also county commissioner of Faulk county for one term and was 
prominently identified with public affairs for many years. He came to 
the state in 1882 and was actively engaged in farming for an extended 
period, passing away in 1914. His widow, however, still resides in 
Faulkton. Judge and Mrs. Bottum have become the parents of seven 
children: Helen M., a teacher in the schools of Faulkton; Fannie C., 
the wife of William P. Givens, who is engaged in the automobile 
business at Goldfield, Iowa, and by whom she has one child, Sylvia 
Helen; Dora H., who is teaching in Minnesota; Emily, a teacher in the 
schools of Faulk county; Julia, a teacher of music in the School for 
Feeble Minded at Redfield; and Roswell and Joseph, both attending 
school. The family is prominently and favorably known in Faulk county 
and that section of the state, the hospitality of the best homes being 
freely accorded them. 

	Judge Bottum is a prominent Mason, belonging to the blue lodge 
and chapter at Faulkton, to the commandery at Redfield and for twenty 
years he served as principal sojourner in the chapter. He is also 
identified with the Odd Fellows and the United Workmen at Faulkton and 
is a member of the Congregational church, shaping his life according to 
its teachings and never deviating from the high standards which he has 
set up. He has made an enviable record in various connections, 
especially in office, where his loyalty to the public welfare is above 
question.