Joseph S. Butler

As printed in 1887

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

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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.

c' fOIIN C. MILLER, one of the pioneers of Monroe Township, residing on section 8, and a representative farmer of Linn County, was born in 1821, in Rockingham County, Va. He emigrated from Virginia to East Tennessee in 1843, and remained there three years and then removed to Ogle County, Ill., where he lived for ten years. He removed to Iowa in 1856, and purchased 220 acres of land, and is now the owner of 200 acres, the most of which is under cultivation.

Mr. Miller is a minister of the Gospel in the German Baptist Church, and has occupied the pulpit for twenty-four years. He donated one and a half acres of ground to the church. Five of his children are also members of the same church, and he and his wife have belonged to that denomination for the last forty-four years.

Mr. Miller married Miss Mary Ikanbury Oct. lit,

1841. She was born in Virginia in 1819, and they have eight children living, as follows: Jacob married Sarah, daughter of Daniel Albaugh; Samuel L. married Mary A. Wagner; Catharine became the wife of Amos S. Heefner; Joseph N. married Miss Maria Myers; Lydia became Mrs. David Heefner; John II. married Miss Lanora Donaldson; she died, and he then married Miss Annie Forrest, and he now lives in Kansas; David W. married Miss Jennie Bluebaugh; Franklin E. is still single. Mr. Miller is an earnest worker in the vineyard of the Lord, and for twenty-four years has fought under the banner of the Cross. laboring for the salvation of souls, and when called to his final reward hopes to receive the commendation, " Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.