The Newtown bee., 1900-03-16
Town TOPICS.
WILLIAM BOTSFORD.
His Death Occurs Late
Monday Evening.
ONE OF NEWTOWN'S OLD
AND ESTEEMED
CITIZENS.
His Early Experiences In the West

Like the stately elms which for years
were the pride and glory Of Newtown's
beautiful Street, and now almost entirely
gone, so the fne old citizens who for
decades have given character to this
grand old town, are one by one falling
by the wayside, "going to that borne
from which no traveller ever returns"
To this class belonged William Botsford,
whose death occurred on Monday night,
at IL o'clock, after few weeks illness.
He was a gentleman of the old school,
always courteous and kindly in his de-
meanor, and all who knew him are sad
dened at the thought that they will see
him no more on earth. His son, Henry
Botstord, of Los Angeles, CAL, arrived
in town on Sunday morning, and receiv-
ed a glad recognition from the father,
although he was scarcely able to speak.
After this ne lapsed into unconscIousness,
in which state he lay till the end came.
Mr. Botsford was man of generous in
stincts, and in his active, busy life was
always considerate of the poor.
Trace of the Botsford name is first
found in the early records of Woodbury.,
to which town they came as early as 1910
The name appears in the records of New.
town as early as 1912, and the family
has been prominent for several genera
lions in the social, business and political
movements Of this locality. Moses
Botsford, the grandfather of William
Botsford, was born in Newtown,
and for many years was lead
ing agriculturlst of Zoar dis
trict. He married Huldah Winton, a nd
had the following children: Thomas,
who never married; Theophilus, our SUBJ
ject's father; Daniel, who married Lu.
cena Twitchell; Phoebe (Mrs Ebenezsr
Beers); Sally, wife of Harry Downs !;
and Aurelia (Mrs Isaac Peck).
Theophilus Botsford, the father of Will
liam BOtsford, was born in Newtown
about 1885, and throughout his active
life was engaged in farming In the same
town. After his marriage he removed
from Zoar district to North Center dis
trlct, where his remaining years were
spent, his death occurring December 70,
1927. He was quite successful In bust
ness and was prominent in local affairg,
holding numerous offices. In religious
faith he was Universalist, and as he
was man of fine mental ability and
much force Of character, he drew around
him a superior class of friends. His
wife, Lucy Aun (Peck), who died Sep
TENDER 4, 1870, was daughter OF Elna-
than Peck, prosperous agriculturist of
North Center district, and the owner of
large tract Of land. They had family
OF three children: (D Julia. born Au-
gust "a, 1908, married John Russell Skid
more; (2) Mary, born December rs,
1911, married Joseph Blackman; and
(3) William.
William Botsford was born December
10, 1918, at the homestead in New
town, and his education was chiefly OBJ
tained in the common schools of North
Center district, although he also attend
ed the select school In building which
stood on the present site of the Grand
Central hotel, his teacher being Judge
Samuel @. Blackmsn. When about Is
years old he left school, and for some
time he devoted his attention to farm
work at the homestead. In 1850 he re-
moved with his family to Sturgis, Mich,
then littls hamlet, and purchased farm
within .half-mile of the center OF the
place. His first investment included only
40 acres, but as time passed he bought
more land until he owned between two
and three hundred acres. He remained
there five years, meeting with success in