Biography of James A. Boots, page 291.  History of Northeast Indiana; 
LaGrange, Steuben, Noble, and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the editorial 
supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. 
McIntosh.  The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.  

   James A. Boots.  There is no name that has stood for better things and 
has been longer identified with DeKalb County than that of Boots.  The 
family was established here by the late John S. Boots, whose life was one of 
great purpose and energy and in many ways was directly associated with the 
progress and upbuilding of the community. 
   The late John S. Boots was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 5, 
1822, a son of James and Sarah (Stringer) Boots.  His father died in 1855 
and his mother in 1877.  When he was two years old, the family removed to 
Richland County, Ohio, where John S. Boots grew to manhood and acquired a 
district school education.  On April 12, 1849, he married Eliza Ambrose. 
She was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1823.  A few 
days after his marriage John S. Boots started for the West to find a place 
to locate, entered land in section 35 of Jackson Township, and on June 20th 
again started from Ohio, this time with his wife to make permanent 
settlement.  He had only $2 when he arrived in Indiana, bought 160 acres, 
cleared and improved, and worked steadily until he was rated as one of the 
prosperous men of the township.  He developed a fine farm of 280 acres.  He 
was a real leader in the township, and was a pioneer in the good roads 
movement.  For many years he was road supervisor, and his district, No.5, 
was twice, rewarded prizes for the best roads in the county.  He was also a 
school director and in every sense a public spirited citizen.  John S. 
Boots died in 1909.  His first wife passed away August 26, 1866, the mother 
of six children: Sarah J., Amanda S., James A., Ida, William R. and John T.  
In 1868 John S. Boots married Matilda Hall, Three children were born to 
their union: Pearl, Clyde and Myrtle, all living.  John S. Boots was a 
member of the Masonic order and a republican in politics.  The old 
homestead farm is now owned and occupied by three of his children: Amanda 
S., James A. and William Rufus.
   James A. Boots, who was born on the farm where he now resides, constituting 
the northeast quarter of section 35, 3 ½ west of Spencerville, on March 19, 
1856, has lived here all his life and has never married.  He is a director 
in the Farmer’s and Merchants Bank at Spencerville and a republican  in  
politics.

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