The Butler Family of Linn County, Iowa

JOSEPH S. BUTLER. As a good financier and a representative of the business class of Springville, as well as one of the foremost citizens of Linn County, it is with, pleasure that, we are enabled to give a few facts connected with the life of the gentleman whose name heads this notice, as well as a short biography of his parents. They were Isaac and Clarissa (Sergeant) Butler, natives of Virginia, and New Jersey respectively. They were married and shortly afterward settled in Chillicothe. Ross Co., Ohio, removing thence to Wilkesville, Vinton County, that State. From the latter county, in 1831, they emigrated to Michigan, while it was yet a Territory, and settled in what, is now Cass County. There they lived for about four years, during which time Isaac was engaged in farming. While a resident of that county, the father enlisted as a soldier in the Blackhawk War, and was commissioned Major, and during the war promoted Colonel, and served during the entire conflict. While stationed at Chicago he received knowledge of the rich and productive Western lands, and after returning home, in 1835, with his family he removed to Racine, Wis.

On moving to Racine the father of our subject erected the first store that ever bill in that city, and at once engaged in mercantile pursuits. He continued in that line of business there until 1840, when hi sold out his business, and in February of that year, moved to this county and located

Oil the identical tract of land on which the thriving little village of Springville is now built. He entire some 400 acres of land, and settling upon it began it> improvement, with the determination of making it a rich and productive farm, and a permanent home for himself and family. He followed agricultural pursuits, and kept a small hotel and store on his farm, and was also Postmaster, the post office being located on his place, and it being the if? third or fourth office established in the county. Continuing to reside there until 1854, he disposed of his real and personal property and moved to Montour. Tama County, this state, where he purchased a large tract of land, amounting to some 1,700 acres, and also engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1860 he sold out his mercantile business and retired from the active labors of life. He continued to live a retired life and in the enjoyment of his well-earned competence until his demise, which took place Feb. 20, L868.

After the death of Isaac Butler his widow moved to Missouri, where she lived with her son, Abel M. S. Butler, until her demise, which took place in October, 1.S7M. Twelve children were born to the parents, six sons and six daughters, ami were named Sarah. Abel M. S., Joseph S.,.lane. Caroline. Phillip, David, William, Ozias. Susan, Amanda and Mary. Sarah was twice married, her first husband being George II. Robinson, and after his death, which occurred in 1847, she became the wife of Samuel St with whom she lived, in Brown Township, until her - death, which occurred in November, 1871; Abel M. S. married Susan Stratton, and they are living in Berlin, Gentry Co...Mo.; Joseph S.. next in order of birth, is the subject of this notice:.lane became the wife of J. T. Berryhill, and lived in.Missouri until her death, which took place July 4. 1870; Caroline was united in marriage with Robinson Conwell, and they are living in this county; Phillip was married to Emma Harrison, in 1860, and they reside at Montour. Iowa: David is also living in the same city; William is engaged in the stock business in Nebraska; Ozias is married, and is a citizen of.Montour: Susan is the wile of Gideon Cionk. and they are living in Montour; Amanda became the wife of Edward Griffith, and their residence is in Denver, Col.; Mary and John

Haywood were united in the bonds of matrimony, and they are living in Montour.

The subject of this biographical notice was born in Chillicothe, Ross Co., Ohio, Sept. 29, 1821. He was but ten years of age when his parents removed to Cass County, Mich., and, at the age of fifteen he went with them to Racine, Wis. Thus it will be seen that our subject was hut a youth when his parents removed to the wilds of an undeveloped territory, and. there being only limited educational advantages afforded, of course the early training of Josephs, was also necessarily limited. lie was about twenty years old when he accompanied his parents to this county, and his time was chiefly spent on the farm until he attained the age of manhood. He then set forth to fight the battle of life singlehanded and alone, and. embarking in agricultural pursuits, was thus occupied until about 1850. During that year he went to Aaamosa,.jones Co., Iowa, where he formed a partnership with George Dallison, under the firm name of Butler & Dallison, and engaged in the manufacture of farming mills and cultivators. The co-partnership continued to exist until 1854, when it was dissolved, and our subject moved to Brown Township, this county, and again engaged in farming and stock-raising. He continued in this vocation, together with buying and selling real estate, until 1862. He then erected a. warehouse at Springville, which was the first of its kind to he built in that place, and began handling stock, dressed hogs and grain, and was quite an extensive shipper, continuing in this business, together with running his farm, until 1876, when he retired from the active labor of life.

Aug. 29, 1*77. while our subject was in Cleveland attending the Grand Encampment of Sir Knights, lie met with a. serious accident, which caused him the loss of his left leg as high up as the knee. Palace cars were chartered to convey the company of several ladies and gentlemen, of which lie was one. from Cedar Rapids to Cleveland. They Slept in the cars, and while going to breakfast one morning they were obliged to cross a switch on which Stood a train of coal cars. In the attempt to climb over one of these cars, Mr. Butler was Caught by the 'bumpers," which caused him the loss of his leg. He was taken to the hospital at

Cleveland, and in a few days was sent to his home at Springville, where his leg was amputated. He was confined to his home until May of the following year, by which time he was able, with the aid of a crutch, to get out. Being accustomed to an active business life, and having a disposition that was not content to be idle, he marked in the banking business at Springville, opening the Exchange Bank of that place in November, 1878. He continued in the business alone until January, 1.SS6, when he took his son, Charles F., as a partner, and the bank is now carried on by J. S. Butler & Son. In August, L882, our subject started The New Era, a spicy little paper published at that place. He is the owner of 471 acres of land in Linn County, the major portion of which is tillable. He is also the owner of valuable property in Springville, among which is five store buildings. Socially he is a member of Springville Lodge No. 139, A. F. & A. M., and the Patmos Comniandery No. 27, and the Royal Arch Chapter No. 10, of Marion. J. S. Butler was united in marriage with Miss Maria Reneau, July 4, 1854, at Springville. She is a daughter of Jesse and Mary (Browning) Reneau, natives of Knox County Tenn., and South Carolina respectively. After marriage they settled in Tennessee, but subsequently removed to Indiana, and lived there until 1848, when they moved to this county and located in Brown Township. Her father was a farmer by vocation, and continued to follow his calling in Brown Township until his death, which took place Sept. 21, 1883. His good wife had long preceded him to the home beyond the grave, her demise taking place Oct. 2, 1853. The father was a strong temperance man, and, although a member of no church, led an exemplary life, and was held in high esteem by his neighbors and friends. Their children were six in number: William T.,.Alary.1.. Maria L., David N., Sarah E. and Meredith X. William T. was married to Nancy Harkness, and they are living in Nebraska; Mary.1. is the wife of James M. Oxley, a farmer of Brown Township; Maria L. is the wife of our subject; David died in Brown Township, aged nineteen years; Sarah E. was united in marriage with Nathan Paul, and she is living with her two children in Springville;.Meredith N. died in Brown Township, aged about thirty-five years.

Mrs. Butler, of this notice, was born in Monroe County, Intl.. Feb. 2. 1832. She was sixteen when her parents came to this county, and has made this her home ever since. She and her husband are the parents of three children, only one of whom. Charles F., in business with his father, survives. The deceased children were Alva J., who died Jan. 1, 1875, aged nineteen years, and Lurman, who died July 22, 18G3, aged three months. Charles F. married Miss Clara B. Berger, Dec. 25, 1882. She is a (laughter of Abram and Margaret Berger, residents of Springville, and was born in Franklin County, Pa., Oct. 13, 1862. They have one child. Maggie J.

Mr. Butler in politics votes with the Democratic party. lie was President of the Linn County Agricultural Society for two years; besides holding the office of Justice of the Peace for six years, has held other minor offices. Together with Moses Winans and Ilosea White, he platted the town of Springville, and he has been identified with its growth and development until the present time. He is one of the foremost men of Linn County, and is respected or his sterling worth and integrity. Lithographic rains of Mr. and Mrs. Butler appear in this work.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHARLES F. BUTLER.

Charles F. Butler, president of the Springville Exchange Bank and a most capable financier and successful business man, is a native of this county, born on the old homestead in Brown township, December 8, 1857, and is the son of Joseph S. Butler, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. His boyhood and youth were spent ii])nn the farm, and his primary education, acquired in the schools of Springville, was supplemented by two years' attendance at Cornell College, in Mt. Wernon.

.After completing his education Mr. Butler returned home and engage in farming and raising, feeding and dealing in stock. A few years after his father established the Springville Exchange Bank he became connected with the same, and was in partnership with his father until the latter's death, when he succeeded to the business and estate. The capital stock has been increased from twenty-five to seventy-five thousand dollars, having the largest capital. of any bank in the county outside of Cedar Rapids. Besides his banking business Mr. Butler owns and operates several fine farms, and fatten for market several carloads of cattle annually. He is one of the most public-spirited men of the town, and is ever ready to use his influence and means to advance the interests of the community He was one of the principal promoters of the water works system of Springville, and owns a large share of the stock.

On the old homestead in Brown township, where he was born, Mr. Butler was married on Christmas Day, 1882, to Miss Clara Burger, a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Abraham Burger, who was one of the early settlers of Linn county. Here Mrs. Butler grew to womanhood, her education being acquired at Mt. Vernon. They began their married life on the old home farm, and there their only child, Margaret Josephine, was born. After residing there for a few years they removed to Springville, and the daughter will graduate at the high school in that place in June, 1901.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.