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Below is a family biography included in History of Union County, Iowa published by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1908.  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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NEWTON M. BOTLEMAN.
Among the prominent and influential residents of Grant township now living a retired life after years of earnest toil and endeavor spent in the fields, is numbered Newton M. Botleman, who has made his home in this county since 1870 and is still living on his farm on section 30. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, April 12, 1834, and was there reared to manhood on the farm. He taught school for several years in his early manhood, after which he turned his attention to other pursuits. As a companion and helpmate for life’s journey he chose Miss Minerva Swearingen, to whom he was married in 1857. She was born in Adams county.

The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm, where they lived for three years, during which time they carefully saved their earnings so that Mr. Botleman was at length enabled to purchase eighty acres of land which he improved and made his home for ten years. In 1870 he sold his property in Ohio and came to Union county, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land, on which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He erected here a house and began to cultivate the fields, fencing the land and breaking the raw prairie. This farm has since been his home and its excellent appearance today indicates his life of thrift and energy. He set out every tree on the place, including a fine orchard and in later years he built a more commodious and modern residence, which supplanted the pioneer home. Good barns and outbuildings have also been erected and furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. The latest improved machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields and everything about the farm has been carried forward along progressive lines. From the beginning of his residence here success has attended the efforts of Mr. Botleman and as his financial resources have increased he has added to his original holdings from time to time until he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in the home place and two hundred and forty acres on section 27, Grant township. For many years he actively carried on the work of the farm but is now leaving its operation and improvement to others while he is enjoying a well earned rest.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Botleman were born five children: Matilda J., now the wife of Frank Banning, a resident farmer of Grant township; Elizabeth B., the wife of H. C. Tollman, who follows farming in Grant township; Edward S., who operates the home farm; Walter, who died in Ohio, at the age of two and a half years; and Arthur N., who married Ora Crouch and is living in Clearfield, Iowa.

Of this family, Edward S. Botleman was born in Adams county, Ohio, April 28, 1863, and was therefore but seven years of age when he came with his parents to Iowa. He has always resided upon the old homestead farm and for a number of years has been an invalid from rheumatism. He is, however, the owner of one hundred and sixty acres, constituting a well improved farm on section 29, Grant township, which he leases. He gives general supervision to the home farm and makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred trotting horses and roadsters, having some of the finest animals in the county, which he has himself trained.

Newton M. Botleman has been a life-long democrat, supporting the party where state and national issues are involved and frequently serving as a delegate to the county conventions. He was elected and served as assessor for four years, was township trustee for several years and has held other minor offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity, for no trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree. He and his wife are loyal and devoted members of the Presbyterian church at Platt Center, in which he has been an officer. He has not only largely witnessed the development and growth of the county but has contributed in substantial measure to its improvement and progress and his beautiful home and farm speak in unmistakable terms of his energy and diligence. He is well known by a host of warm friends and their high regard is extended in equally large measure to his estimable wife, with whom he has traveled life’s journey for more than a half century.

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This family biography is one of 247 biographies included in The History of Union County, Iowa published in 1908.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Union County, Iowa family biographies: Union County, Iowa Biographies

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