Biography of John S. Boots, pages 644 / 645.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

John S. Boots, one of the leading farmers and fruit-growers, and a 
representative man of Jackson Township, resides on section 35.  Of the 260 
acres of land, which his farm contains, 160 are under an advanced state of 
cultivation.  He pays special attention to the raising of fruit, having 
three orchards planted by his own hands, and every variety of fruit grown in 
this climate can be found in its season on Mr. Boot’s farm.  His vineyard is 
without doubt the finest in the county.  In 1881 he received a diploma from 
the Indiana State Board of Agriculture for the finest display of apples.  
His residence is commodious, and is conveniently arranged with all the 
modern improvements.  Mr. Boots was born in Smithfield Township, Jefferson 
Co., Ohio, Oct 5, 1822, a son of James and Sarah (Springer) Boots, his 
father of Scotch and Holland, and his mother of English and Irish descent.  
His father died in 1855 and his mother in 1877.  In  1827 his parents moved 
to Copeland County, Ohio.  He remained with them till manhood, and April 12, 
1849, married Eliza Ambrose, a native of Bedford County, Pa., born Feb. 22, 
1823, a daughter of John and Barbara (Folck) Ambrose.  May 6, following, Mr. 
Boots started for the West in search of a place to locate.  He entered his 
present farm and returned to Ohio, and June 20, started with his wife for 
the wilds of Indiana.  To them were born six children--- Sarah J., wife of 
Daniel Butler; Amanda S.; James A.; Ida, wife of George Balch; William R. 
and John T.  Aug. 26 1866, Mrs. Boots died, and Feb. 22, 1868 Mr. Boots 
married Matilda Hall, a native of Seneca County, Ohio, born March 18, 1835, 
a daughter of John and Sophia (Harper) Hall.  They have three children---
Perley, Elsie C. and Myrtle.  Mr. Boots is one of the most enterprising and 
progressive men of the township.  He has been Road Supervisor many years, 
and has made his district famous for its good roads. The Northeastern Indiana 
Agricultural and Horticultural Societies each gave $25 to the district 
having the best roads, and Mr. Boots won both for his district, No. 5.  He 
is a very positive and decided man in his opinions, and his outspoken 
manner often offends, but nevertheless he is highly esteemed and respected 
for his upright character and honest integrity.  As a School Director he 
has been a very efficient worker, and in all his relations to the town and 
county has been a public-spirited, philanthropic benefactor.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com