BOOTH, B.F.

BOOTH, BERRY

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 4/14/2013 at 09:36:34

The 1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

Warren Township

Page 798

BOOTH, B.F.--Farmer, section 30, P.O. Victor. Was born August 21, 1833, in Bangor, Maine, and when quite young left there and with his parents settled in Springfield, Illinois, where, after finishing his education, he learned the harness-maker's trade, which he worked at till 1853, when he moved to Iowa and settled in Iowa county. There engaged in farming until August, 1862, at which time he enlisted, in Iowa City, in company I, Twenty-second Iowa infantry, Jas. Robertson, captain, and Wm. Stone, colonel, being in the battles of Wainsville, Springfield, Missouri, Port Gibson, Raymond, Mississippi, charge and siege of Vicksburg, Champion's Hill, Black River, Jackson, Mississippi, Ft. Esperanza, Texas, Alexandria, Red River Expeditions, Bermuda Hundred, Charleston, Berryville, Blue Ridge and Cedar Creek, where he was wounded in the breast by a piece of a shell, from which he suffers to the present time. He was taken prisoner at Cedar Creek and suffered, with some 1,300 of his unfortunate companions, very much for want of food and clothing at Second Libby, near Richmond. Then was sent to Castle Thunder, and Salisbury, North Carolina, and was exchanged March 1, 1865. He then weighed ninety-seven pounds, his former weight being 181 pounds. Has never had good health since. On being discharged he returned home, where, after regaining his health somewhat, he tried farming for three years there, but on account of poor health quit that and worked at his trade in Millersburg for about one year; then at Victor from 1869 until 1876, when he bought and settled where he now lives. Owns 120 acres of land with good improvements. Mr. B. was married April 10, 1853, in Iowa county, Iowa, to Miss Sarah J. Berry, born in Pennsylvania, in 1833. They have one son, James Ammi (born in 1855; married and lives with his parents, having three daughters: Bertha F., aged four years; Mary J., aged three years; Laura, aged eighteen months).