San Francisco County
Biographies
JAMES MONROE
BOTTS
One of the most interesting careers among the citizens of San Francisco is that of James M. Botts, who is president of the American Marine Paint Company, and who has developed his business from the most humble beginnings to a mammoth concern with factories upon both coasts of the United States and offices in the principal ports.
James M. Botts was born on a farm in Jasper county, Missouri, June 23, 1877, and is a son of John Franklin and Mary Jane (Finely) Botts. On the paternal side of his family, he traces his line back to John Minor Botts, who defended Aaron Burr, noted character in colonial history; and Judge Charles T. Botts, another ancestor, was in California as early as 1850 and assisted in the framing of the constitution of California at Monterey. On his maternal side, Mr. Botts is related to Joseph Finley, the first president of the University of New Jersey, which is now Princeton University. Mr. Botts’ own parents came to California in 1889, and settled in Butte county. John F. Botts was a cabinet-maker and made the furniture with which he started housekeeping after deciding on a home site. He died in 1893 and is survived by his widow, who is now (October, 1931) in the ninetieth year of her age.
In the public schools of Butte county, James H. Botts received his education, supplemented by private study. He was ambitious and energetic and as a boy worked in the orchards, plowing, hoeing and doing whatever work was offered to him. He eventually left the home farm and went to Oroville, the county seat of Butte, and there learned telegraphy. It may be noted to his credit, also, that he took the examination for a teacher’s certificate and was successful, but never taught, as his activities were diverted into other channels. As a lad, he also had an inspiration to be a doctor, but this was likewise sidetracked. He secured employment with the Southern Pacific Railroad as a telegraph operator and later worked in the superintendent’s office under J. B. Wright. Later he resigned this position, and in 1901 he became associated with the old California Hotel in San Francisco as night clerk, the hotel being then under the management of General Warfield. Mr. Botts then became chief clerk, which position he held until 1905, when he resigned.
It was during his association with the California Hotel that he formulated his plans for the establishment of the company which he now leads. He had a capital stock of nine hundred dollars, of which sum four hundred dollars were borrowed. Troubles, worries, and handicaps were plentiful in those days at the start. He had just a small working plant, combined with a sales office, and the glass partition between the two was a present to him. His rent was thirty dollars per month. During his spare time, Mr. Botts repaired the upstairs portion of the small building and rented it for twenty-five dollars per month, which helped considerably in financing the business. He cut old barrels in half in which to mix the particular paint, the predecessor of the famous Germicide Anti-Fouling paint for ship’s bottoms. Mr. Botts was the whole company and persisted in his initial efforts despite the numerous obstacles he had to overcome. The value of his product became known wherever ships were built or overhauled. Subsequently, a factory was built in San Francisco and another in New York and now offices are maintained in all the principal ports of the United States and the world. The main headquarters are at 311 California street, San Francisco. The growth and development of the American Marine Paint Company is directly attributable to the industry of Mr. Botts. He had faith in his own ability and clung to his purpose. Success has not destroyed the marked humanism of his character; rather it is an enhancement to his democratic personality, and his business and social contacts have brought to him numberless friends and admirers.
On June 17, 1906, in Vallejo, California, Mr. Botts was married to Mrs. Carrie Meily Wickes, a native daughter of Forest City, California, and the only child of Maryette (Clute) and Edward P. Neily.
Mr. Botts is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Mystic Shrine. At the time he became a Mason, he was the youngest man in California to have been initiated. He is a member o the Bohemian Club, the Olympic Club, the Family Club, and the San Francisco Golf and Country Club. His San Francisco residence is situated at 2164 Hyde Street.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 2 Pages 262-264.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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