DANIEL W. BOTTORF

Dr. D. W. Bottorf Dies Following Long Illness

The many friends throughout the county were greatly grieved to learn of the death of Dr. D. W. Bottorf, which occurred at his home in this city Saturday night, after an illness of many months with heart trouble and complications.

Services were held Tuesday afternoon at the late residence conducted by Rev. Linton, pastor of the Universalist church, Macomb. The body was taken to Davenport Wednesday morning where it will be cremated.

The funeral was largely attended, many were out of town friends, including members of the medical profession.

A more complete obituary will appear in next week’s issue.

Published in the Argus-Searchlight on 9/17/1930 (pending)

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Last Sad Rites For Dr. Bottorf Held Tuesday

Dr. D. W. Bottorf, a well known and highly respected physician and surgeon died at his home in this city Saturday night a week ago at midnight, following an illness of a year and ten months. In January, 1929, the Doctor fell on the icy walk and fractured his hip. Since that time he had been confined to his home. Heart trouble and other complications developed which terminated in his death. Everything that medical science and loving hands could do was done to prolong his life but all of no avail.

Dr. Bottorf bore his sufferings with great patience and fortitude. He had hundreds of loyal friends who mourn his departure. They had learned to love and honor him and will long cherish his memory.

Dr. Bottorf was a great lover of children and the children loved him in return. He believed that the man who scattered flowers in the pathway of his fellowmen, who let into the dark place of life the sunshine of human sympathy and human happiness, is doing a great a benevolent act. To do others a kind and generous act was his greatest desire. He devoted his life to a life of service to humanity. When called even though a humble person, he gave his very best attention and skill. He was thoughtful and considerate of others at all times.

Dr. Bottorf was born near Rock Grove, Ill., March 3, 1859. He taught a country school for seven and one-half years. In 1890 he graduated with high honors from the Wisconsin Dental College and also the College of Dentistry and Surgery at Lake Forest. For three and one-half years he practiced his chosen profession, three years of which time he was located in Rushville. He decided to take up the study of medicine and in the year 1899 he graduated from the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis. Upon his graduation he located in Astoria where he has since continued in his profession, building up a lucrative practice.

Dr. Bottorf was a self-made man. He worked out his own salvation. His mother died when he was six years old. The breaking up of his home forced him out among relatives and strangers, with whom he worked for his board and clothes, going to school during the winter months until he was 14 years old, when he began to receive meager [film scratched … illegible] portion of his salary was turned over to his father each year until he was 21 years of age. He arose to his position in life with his own undaunted efforts. He graduated four times from schools and colleges. He held a state teachers’ certificate.

On June 7, 1899 he was united in marriage to Miss Effie Wells, Rushville. No children were born to this union. He is survived by two brothers, George of Jewell City, Kan., William of Rock Grove, Ill., and one half brother Frank Bottorf of Freeport, three half sisters, Mrs. Anna Coupling, Rockford, Mrs. Nina Wilson of Dakota, Ill., and Mrs. Elnora Klein, Monroe, Wis.

Dr. Bottorf was a member of the Knights of Pythias and I. O. O. F. lodges.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at his late home, conducted by Rev. Linton, pastor of the Universalist church, Macomb. On the following day his remains were taken to Davenport where they were cremated. The ashes were placed on the family lot by the side of his wife who died April 30, 1912.

It was his wish that Thanatopsis be read at his funeral, so, we contribute the following portion of this highly prized literature to his memory:

“So live, that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan, which oves to that mysterious realm, where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death, thou go, not like the quarry-slave at night, scourage to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave, like one who wraps drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.”

Published in the Argus-Searchlight on 9/24/1930