In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1859, Hamilton county
From Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905)
JOHN A. BUTTERFIELD.
This gentleman, who is numbered with the enterprising farmers and substantial citizens of Morgan township, Butler county, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, March 17, 1859, the son of Jeremiah and Sarah Jane Butterfield, both natives of the Buckeye state. The subject’s grandfather, who also bore the name of Jeremiah, was one of the pioneers of southern Ohio and the family has been well known in the counties of Hamilton and Butler from a very early day.
Jeremiah Butterfield, Jr., was born in the former county March 6, 1811, grew to manhood a miller of the soil, which vocation he followed all his life, and died on March 25, 1892; his wife, whose birth occurred on the 29th of November, 1822, departed this life January 2, 1899.
The, subject of this review was brought up on his father’s farm in Hamilton county and after finishing the common-school course entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, where he prosecuted his studies for some time with the object in view of fitting himself for teaching. On leaving the above institution he engaged in educational work and continued the same during the ensuing four years, meeting with encouraging success as an instructor and disciplinarian and earning the reputation of being one of the able and popular teachers of this county. The financial inducements of the profession not being very flattering, Mr. Butterfield at the expiration of the period noted decided to abandon educational work; accordingly he returned home and taking charge of the farm continued its cultivation until the year 1900, when he was elected real estate appraiser of his township. The duties of the position, being responsible and onerous, required all of his time, and he applied himself diligently to the same until the close of his term, when he purchased a farm in Morgan township, Butler county, to which he at once moved and on which he has since lived and prospered. Mr. Butterfield has increased the value of his place by bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and adding a series of substantial improvements, spring no efforts in any of these respects to make it one of the finest and most attractive farms of the township in which it is situated. He has labored diligently to bring about the results that now obtain, the excellent condition of his fields, buildings and other improvements and the spirit of thrift apparent in every part of the premises demonstrating unusual capacity on his part as an enterprising miller of the soil, as well as the lively interest he manifests to keep fully abreast the times in all matters of modern thought in the domains of agricultural science. His persevering industry and devotion to duty have brought their reward in the beautiful home and comfortable competency now in his possession, while his upright course of conduct and the desire always to do as he would be done by have won him a conspicuous place in the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens.
The domestic life of Mr. Butterfield dates from February 4, 1897, at which time he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Lillian Atherton, daughter of Israel and Jane Atherton, of Ohio, the father for many years a well-to-do farmer and representative citizen of Hamilton county. This union has been blessed with one child, Helen, around whom all the wealth of the parental affection is being thrown and in whom are centered many fond hopes, and bright anticipations for the future. Mr. Butterfield affiliates with the Democratic party. Although a member of no church, he has profound respect for religion and exemplifies the vital principles of Christianity in his daily life and conversation, which in the sight of reasonable men is of greater weight and influence than ostentatious profession. He is an attendant of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife belongs, and contributes generously to its support,, besides giving liberally of his means to further the interests of all charitable and benevolent enterprises of whatever name or order. Mr. Butterfield is a genial and pleasant companion, of a cheerful and lively disposition, and in his domestic relations is as happily situated as he is popular among his fellow men, being respected by all classes as a gentleman of integrity and honor. He possesses a strong will, is energetic and determined in carrying forward any undertaking which he considers just and right, at the same time exercising that control of self which under all circumstances is the surest evidence of personal power. He has lived as nearly as possible according to his ideals of manhood and citizenship, and with others of his type and class is deserving of a place in a volume dedicated to the representative men of his adopted county.
As printed in Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1905. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.