CHARLES S. BOTTOMLEY

BIOGRAPHY

AS RECORDED IN:

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF TOLLAND AND WINDHAM COUNTIES CONNECTICUT.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS AND OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES.

PUBLISHER: J.H.BEERS & CO., CHICAGO; 1903 P. 1258

CHARLES S. BOTTOMLEY, present superintendent of the New England mill of the celebrated Hockanum Company, at Rockville, Tolland county, has been associated with that community only a few years, but he has already attained to an acknowledged position in manufacturing circles. Perhaps his knowledge of his business is in a measure instinctive, for he comes of a family whose members have long had important connection with woolen manufacturing, but there is no doubt that his rapid advancement from one position of responsibility to another, and his unusual success in every capacity, are due to his characteristic thoroughness and application.

Mr. Bottomley is an Englishman, born July 16, 1866, at Shelf, near Bradford, son of William and Elizabeth (Lister) Bottomley, who were the parents of six children. The father was at one time engaged in manufacturing on his own account, and was subsequently connected with Briggs, Priestly & Co., of Bradford, for a number of years. He had practically been raised in this branch of manufacture, having learned under his uncles, who were prominent manufacturers at Shelf. William Bottomley died in England, and his widow still resides there. Of their family, Herbert, the oldest son, also came to this country, and was for a time a member of the firm of A. Priestly & Co., at Camden N.J., but is now a resident of England.

Charles S. Bottomley received a good education, attending the schools in the immediate locality of his home, and later a boarding school near York, England. At sixteen he took up his life work, entering the employ of Briggs, Priestly & Co., at Bradford, and the remaining four years of his residence in England he spent at the different branches of the woolen business, learning all he could. To familiarize himself with the
theoretical side of the business he attended at night the Bradford Technical School. Thus by the time he came to this country, in May, 1886, Mr. Bottomley had a most comprehensive knowledge of the business upon which he had entered, and in which he was determined to make his mark. His first engagement in the United States was at Camden, N.J., in the mill of Priestly & Co., with whom he remained until 1897, during that period filling various positions, with ever increasing responsibility, until at the time he left he was designer and assistant superintendent. In June, 1897, Mr. Bottomley came to Rockville to take the position of designer in the American mill, and in March, 1900, he entered the Hockanum mill there in the same capacity. Since August, 1900, he has been superintendent at the New England mill, where he has now the respect of the employees and the highest esteem and confidence of the owners. Mr. Bottomley is a staunch Republican in
political faith, and votes regularly, though he has never taken any active interest in party matters.

On Jan. 20, 1897, Mr. Bottomley was married to Miss Lucy M. Pickering, of Camden, N.J., who was born in Manchester, England, and was but four years old when brought to America by her parents, Jonathan and Eliza Maria (Thomas) Pickering. Mr. And Mrs. Bottomley have had one child, Margaret, born Sept. 23, 1898. They attend the Union Congregational Church at Rockville, and are highly esteemed in that body as well as in the best social circles of that place, where they are ever welcome.

Reproduced by:

Linda D. Pingel – great-great granddaughter of Cyrus White of Rockville, Ct.