MRS. MARY H. BOTKIN. It would seem, in recalling the exceedingly interesting events of the life of Mrs. Mary H. Botkin, one of the best known and most highly respected ladies of Jasper county, Missouri, and noting the capacity with which she has handled business problem, the courage with which she has faced personal disaster and trouble, and the confidence which she has inspired in all who have come within the circle of her influence, that at least in one section of the county there can be no question as to a. woman's mental equipment and her ability to perform any possible duty, whether at the fireside or in the public arena. Born in Lincoln county, Tennessee, she is a daughter of John and Temperance Teele (Sullivan) McCormick, and a granddaughter of James McCormick. James McCormick, who was a native of South Carolina, moved from that state to Tennessee in young manhood, and in the wilds of that region was killed by a bear. His wife, who had borne the maiden name of Susanna Gault, survived him many years, and she spent her declining days in Illinois. The father of Mrs. Botkin was born in Tennessee, October 15, 1817, and even as a young man became convinced of the wrongs to slavery and decided to move to the free date of Illinois. The journey was made overland with teams, Mr. McCormick being accompanied by his wife, his two children and his widowed mother, the latter of whom covered the entire distance on horseback, and located in Sparta, Randolph county, where he established a blacksmith shop. After a time he engaged in the manufacture of plows, being the proprietor of the shop now known as the Finley Plow Factory, and assisted in organizing and was a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Sparta. In 1853 he went to California in search of his fortune in the gold fields, but after a few years came back to Illinois, the journey both ways having been made via the Isthmus. Resuming his trade, he was engaged thereat in August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company 0, Eightieth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as Lieutenant, and later was promoted to the rank of captain, but in 1863 he was taken ill and in April of that year resigned and returned to his home. He continued to reside in Sparta until his death, at the age of eighty-five years. Mr. McCormick married Temperance Teele Sullivan, who was born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, daughter of Cornelius and Polly (Gunter) Sullivan, and she died at the age of seventy-three years, having been the mother of four sons and five daughters. Mrs. Botkin was reared and educated at Sparta, Illinois, and at the age of sixteen years began teaching school in that community. She was there married at the age of seventeen years to James Nesbit, who was born on a farm near Sparta, a son of Robert and Jane (Little) Nesbit, Robert Nesbit, who was a native of Tennessee, moved to Randolph county, Illinois, soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, and enlisted in an Illinois regiment, participating in numerous hard-fought battles and losing his life at Nashville, James Nesbit was reared to agricultural pursuits, and early in 1861 he enlisted in Company X, Fifth Illinois Cavalry. He was first commissioned lieutenant and later promoted to captain, and was in active service throughout the war, serving four years less five days, his death occurring in a battle at Hempstead, Texas, in 1865. His widow was left with a daughter, whom she named Mary James., but who was always known as Kittie, and the latter married Elmer Webster and died at the age of nineteen years. On December 25, 1878, Mrs. Nesbit was married to Eli Botkin, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, March 7, 1834. In 1877 he leased the barn and began buying horses for the Indian agency, but in 1882 resumed the livery business and continued therein until his death, which occurred in 1901. Mr. Botkin was a member of the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He and his wife had one daughter, Dorcas, who died at the age of two years. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Botkin has successfully managed the livery business founded by him, and it has grown to large proportions. She was also for sixteen years engaged in breeding thoroughbred Jersey rattle and fine poultry, and at the World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago, she was chairman of the women's committee on live stock and of the committee on mines and mining by women. She is a prominent member of the Presbyterian church. As the daughter of one soldier and widow of another, Mrs. Botkin has been deeply interested in the Woman's Relief Corps, and served as vice-president and president of the local corps, as well as treasurer and press correspondent, and in 1908 was elected president of the Department of the State of Missouri, being chosen for that office on the first ballot. She has served as delegate at large to the national encampments at Philadelphia, Boston, Saratoga, Toledo and Atlantic City, and on February 15, 1910, was appointed special aide by Jennie I. Berry, national president, and again, October 18, 1911, by the national president, Cora M. Davis. Mrs. Botkin is a member of Chapter No. 177. Order of the Eastern Star, and organized James Nesbit Camp, No. 8, Sons of Veterans. [A History of Jasper county and its people, by Joel Thomas Livingston; Public Domain]