Boothby, Christopher

BOOTHBY, GARNUS, MONDAY, BRYANT, FATCHETT

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Date: 4/15/2003 at 18:08:00

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

CHRISTOPHER BOOTHBY.

Prominent among the citizens of Low Moor who have retired from active business cares is Christopher Boothby, who dates his residence in this county from the 3d of June, 1854. He was born March 2, 1825, in Lincolnshire, England, and there grew to manhood upon a farm, becoming a self-educated as well as a self-made man. He was married in 1846 to Miss Mary Garnus, who was also a native of Lincolnshire.

With the hope of bettering his financial condition in the new world, Mr. Boothby took passage on a sailing vessel—the old Ross, that foundered the next voyage—at Hull, and after six weeks and three days spent upon the water he landed in New York, making what was then considered a very quick trip. He experienced one severe storm. On setting foot on American soil, he immediately took up his westward journey and, as previously stated, reached this county on the 3d of June. He stopped first at Old Sterling, where he worked at farm labor or anything which he could find to do. For several years he rented and operated a farm belonging to John Davis, and then bought the old Captain Hubbard farm of two hundred acres, near Deep Creek. This place was very slightly improved and an old house was standing thereon. To the original tract he subsequently added two hundred and forty acres, and as the years passed he converted the farm into one of the best improved and most desirable places in his locality. As he prospered in his farming operations, he kept adding to his landed possessions, until he now has six hundred and forty acres of valuable land, now operated by his own two sons. Leaving the farm with them he removed to Low Moor in 1890 and has since lived a retired life. Here he owns a good home and is surrounded by all the comforts which made life worth the living.

Mr. Boothby’s first wife died on the farm, in 1885. Of the twelve children born to them, seven still survive, namely: Thomas, a retired citizen of Cherokee, Iowa; George, Robert, John and Martin, who live on a part of the old home farm; Mary, wife of George Monday, of Cherokee county; and Lucy, wife of Wesley Bryant, of the same county.

Mr. Boothby was again married in Clinton, in March, 1890, to Mrs. Sarah A. Fatchett, who was born in Yorkshire, England, but was reared in Lincolnshire. She first gave her hand in marriage to George Fatchett, with whom she came to the United States, and, after living for a time in Missouri, settled in Elvira, Clinton county, Iowa, where Mr. Fatchett owned and operated a farm. There he died, December 25, 1884, leaving seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom are now married and heads of families.

By his ballot Mr. Boothby supports the Republican party, his first vote being cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has never cared for office, preferring to give his time to his business interests, though he served six years as supervisor of highways. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but he and his wife are now members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and live in harmony with their professions. As a business man Mr. Boothby is upright and honorable. Beginning life in the new world with no capital except that acquired by his own industry, his success is due entirely to his own well-directed and energetic efforts, and his career has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact.