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From the Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 716-717
JOHN LONGBOTHAM, merchant, banker and real-estate dealer in Dickeysville, Grant county, was born in the town of Paris, that county, in 1852, a son of Thomas and Hannah (WREAKES) LONGBOTHAM.
Our subject's parents were natives of Yorkshire, England, the father born May 13, 1807, and the mother in June, 1821. They came to Grant county in 1841, and here Mr. LONGBOTHAM was engaged in selling ore for a time, after which he went into farming, in Paris. He bought a good farm, where he made his permanent residence. Here his wife died in 1880, and he on Sept. 22, 1892. Mr. LONGBOTHAM in his earlier days voted the Democratic ticket, and later was a Republican. A prominent and popular man in his section, he was called upon to fill many local offices, and was widely known for his ability and unswerving integrity. He was the father of six children: (1) William, who was born in Potosi, Grant county, obtained his education in the Platteville public schools, and is engaged in business at Lawrence, Neb., where he is living. He is unmarried. (2) Elijah, born at Potosi, married Miss Celia TAYLOR, and settled at Rockford, Iowa, where he died recently, leaving two children, Ella and Overton. (3) Thomas, born at Dickeysville, married Miss Alvira GILLMORE, of Dubuque, Iowa, and they have one son, Thomas. He is now in business at Platteville, being one of the leading liverymen of Grant county. (4) Rebecca A., born in the town of Paris, was educated in the home schools and in the Platteville Normal, and became a partner with her brother John in the store, which partnership has continued for some eighteen years. Miss LONGBOTHAM was appointed postmaster at Dickeysville under the first administration of President Cleveland, and is still holding that position. (5) John is the fifth child of his parents. (6) Joseph, born in Paris, grew to manhood on the old homestead, and is now cashier of the Farmers Bank of Cuba City, where he is doing a fine business. For some years he lived at Platteville, moving to his present location and business in 1898. He married Miss Kittie MATTHEWS, of Dickeysville. The LONGBOTHAMS are all Republicans, and have all been more or less prominently identified with the Methodist Church.
John LONGBOTHAM was reared on the family estate, and acquired his education in the common schools. While still quite young he had charge of his father's business to a considerable extent, and in 1880, in company with his sister, engaged in a general mercantile business in Dickeysville. During the intervening years he has continuously dealt in real estate, making a specialty of desirable farm lands, and has handled some of the choicest farm property in this part of the State. He belongs to a syndicate extensively interested in lands in the northern part of the State. By close attention to business and wise management, Mr. LONGBOTHAM has become one of the wealthy men of this part of the county. In 1890, and again in 1892, he was elected to the General Assembly, and has served his constituents most acceptably. In financial affairs Mr. LONGBOTHAM has taken a conspicuous part, in 1890 organizing the Farmers Bank of Cuba City, of which he is president. He also founded a bank at Stevens Point, of which he is vice-president. He is one of the prominent figures in the business world in this part of the State, and sustains a high reputation for honesty and integrity in all his business dealings. Mr. LONGBOTHAM has never married.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck