John Minor Botts (Congressional Biographical Directory)

BOTTS, John Minor, a Representative from Virginia; born in Dumfries, Va., September 16, 1802; attended the common schools in Richmond, Va.; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1830 and commenced practice in Richmond, Va.; moved to Henrico County and engaged in agricultural pursuits; member of the State house of delegates 1833-1839; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1839-March 3, 1843); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1842 to the Twenty-eighth Congress; elected to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1849); chairman, Committee on Military Affairs (Thirtieth Congress); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1848 and 1850 to the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses, respectively; member, State constitutional convention, 1850-1851; resumed the practice of law in Richmond, Va., in 1852; delegate to the Southern Loyalists’ Convention in 1866; died in Richmond, Va., January 8, 1869; interment in Shockoe Hill Cemetery.