JOHN R. BOOTH, the very efficient police justice of the city of Beloit, Rock County, has become widely known as a man of ability and decided judicial temper. He is active and influential in public affairs, and enjoys a personal reputation that is beyond reproach.
Mr. BOOTH was born in Montgomery County, N.Y., June 30, 1827, a son of John and Ellen (ROBERTSON) BOOTH, natives of England and Scotland, respectively. They had seven children born to them, two now living, John R. and Belle, the latter a resident of Fonda, N.Y. The father was a woolen manufacturer, and was in business at Fonda, N.Y., the last years of his life. He died there when aged about sixty-five. The mother long survived him, and reached the age of eighty-three. They were members of the Reformed Church, in which he held official position. His father was a woolen manufacturer in England, where he lived and died; he had his business in Yorkshire, and was a man of affairs.
John ROBERTSON, the father of Mrs. Ellen BOOTH, was born in Scotland, and came to this country to locate in Fulton County, N.Y., where he died between fifty and sixty years ago at a good old age. He had five or six children. John R. BOOTH lived at home until he attained his majority. He obtained a good education, attending the public school and the local academy, a school of high grade. During his vacation seasons he worked in the woolen mills until, by the time he was a man, he had a thorough understanding of every detail of the business. He owned and operated a woolen mill on his own account for some years, and in 1854, coming West to Jo Daviess County, Ill., became the agent of the railroad company at Warren, a position that he held for some half dozen years. He was living in Galena at the outbreak of the Civil war, and he secured transportation for the first company of soldiers sent out from the county to aid in the suppression of the Rebellion. He lived in Galena until 1865, then spent a year in Warren, and in 1866 came to Beloit, and has made that city his home to the present time, with the exception of some five or six years when he was in Iowa. In Beloit Mr. BOOTH was in the sash and door business for several years, and then became a senior partner in the firm of BOOTH, HINMAN & Co., proprietors of a large paper house. The firm did an extensive business, and Mr. BOOTH continued therewith until 1880, when he sold out and removed to Iowa, remaining there several years. In 1889 he returned to Beloit, and that city has been his home to the present time. In 1890 Mr. BOOTH was elected police justice, and he has filled that position to the present time, with the exception of a part of one term, to the very great satisfaction of the general public. He is a man of broad views, and while he is sympathetic toward the unfortunate and criminal who come before him, he remembers the violated law, and knows well how to temper justice with mercy. He has occupied his present office quarters since 1892.
Mr. BOOTH and Miss Sarah HICKS were married Oct. 23, 1854. Mrs. BOOTH was a daughter of Isaac and Isabel (ROBINSON) HICKS, and became the mother of four children: Isaac, who died when twenty-six years of age; and three who died in early childhood. The mother died in 1873. She was a Congregationalist, and a lady of fine character. In 1874, Mr. BOOTH married Miss Minerva LEONARD, a daughter of H. K. and Minerva (JOCELYN) LEONARD. They have one daughter, Mary J. Mrs. BOOTH is a member of the Second Congregational Church, as is her daughter, who is a graduate of Beloit College. Judge BOOTH, as he is familiarly called, is a member of Morning Star Lodge, No. 10, A.F. & A.M.; Beloit Chapter, No. 9, R.A.M.; and Beloit Commandery, No. 6, K.T., being recorder of the commandery, and secretary of the other two Masonic bodies. He is a Republican, was alderman from the Third ward for three years, and has been on the county board. He has a pleasant home at No. 623 Bluff street. Our subject is held in the utmost respect by all who know him.