John Henry Bottorff was a lay preacher who disappeared on a trip. His body was discovered in 1806. It was decided that he was either attacked by animals of some kind or died as a result of an asthma attack. Items were found near his remains that would have been stolen by indians if they have been responsible for his death.

From the Genealogy web site: In 1799 or 1800 he and his family flat boated down the Ohio River from Pennsylvania, bringing farm tools and farm animals with them. He was one of the seven children of John Adam Batdorf and Anna Elizabeth Zeller, settled with his wife, Sophia in Jefferson County, Kentucky (Note the change in spelling of last name as time progresses). Rev. John Henry was preacher, and died while performing his ministerial duties. He left his home alone on horse back one dark night to perform a marriage ceremony. He was never again heard from. Searchers found only buttons from this clothing, and theorized that he had been attacked and eaten by wild animals. They felt certain that marauding Indians would not have left the buttons.[1]

After losing her husband, Sophia moved, with several of her children, over into Clark County, Indiana. In 1848 her son, William gave the land for Pleasant Grove Methodist Church and cemetery.

Still standing on the Herbert Ross farm is the old stone house where John Bottorff, son of Rev. John Henry and Sophia, brought up his twenty three children. The exact date of construction is unknown, but it is thought to be the oldest house in Clark County. It was remodeled in 1835. John and his second wife, Elizabeth Stonecipher, are buried in a family cemetery nearby.

From the Bottorff Association Bottorff Records of the 1800s: He and Sophia Fricker were members of the United Brethren Church. His occupation was farmer and minister of the Gospel. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War...He removed with his family to Kentucky in 1792. He was called to attend a wedding. After the marriage he started for his home in apparent good health, but he did not reach his home. It was at first supposed that he was killed. After a length of time, owing to the discovery of some relics that were on his person, his family changed their minds and concluded that he had died from an acute attack of asthma to which he was subject.[2]

Contributor: Brent Bruderer (#48058349)

His information is documented in the DAR records:

BOTTORFF, JOHN HENRY (Ensign) DAR Ancestor

Service: PENNSYLVANIA   Rank(s): ENSIGN

Birth: 10-17-1754   BERKS CO PENNSYLVANIA

Death: 5-10-1806    JEFFERSON CO KENTUCKY

Service Source: PA ARCH, 5TH SER, VOL 5, PP 153, 224

Service Description: 1) CAPT MICHAEL WOLF

RESIDENCE 1) County: BERKS CO - State: PENNSYLVANIA

SPOUSE 1) SOPHIA FLEICKER 

COMMENTS

 1) EL-WILLIAM WHO MARRIED MATILDA KNARR WAS THE SON OF JACOB & GRANDSON OF THE PATRIOT 11/1987.

Also documented in the DAR records is information on the following children:

JOHN[1] ELIZABETH HOKE 

JOHN[2] ELIZABETH STONECIPHER 

LOUIS[1] ELIZABETH SMYSER 

HENRY[1] CATHERINE HIKES 

GEORGE[1] LUCY ANN STACY 

JACOB JOSEPH[1] SARAH NANCY GRIMES 

ELIZABETH[1] JOHN GANOTE 

WILLIAM[1] NANCY LYNAM 

SAMUEL[1] ANNA SWARTZ