- THEODORE BUTTS, who is extensively engaged in farming and
stock-raising on section 13,
- town of Fulton, is one of the honored pioneers of the county,
and has been an important factor in the growth and development
of the community. To those men who have braved the trials and
difficulties incident to life on the frontier, Wisconsin owes
her present prosperity and her advanced position in the brilliant
constellation of States, and not the least of these is he whose
name heads this sketch. Mr. BUTTS was born on the 30th day of
October, 1827, in Mt. Bethel, Northampton Co., Pa., and is a
son of Michael and Catherine (MANN) BUTTS, who were also natives
of the Keystone State. The father was a blacksmith by trade,
and followed that occupation in Pennsylvania in connection with
farming. He owned eighty acres of land within a mile and a half
on Centreville, where his shop was located. In 1839, with the
desire of betting his financial condition, he disposed of his
business interest in Northampton County, and, accompanied by
his family, started for what was then the far West. Continuing
his journey until reaching the Territory of Wisconsin, he here
purchased from the government 287 acres of land situated in what
is now the town of Fulton, Rock County. Not a furrow had been
turned or an improvement made on the land, but from its primitive
condition he developed it into a fine farm. Building a little
log cabin, without delay, he began the work of carving out a
home for his family on the frontier, and though many were the
difficulties to be overcome and the obstacles to be surmounted,
his labors were at length crowned with success. The crops planted
yielded abundant harvests, and by the consequent rise in value
of the land Mr. BUTTS became a well-to-do citizen.
- Our subject is the eldest of a family of eight children,
all of whom are living with one exception.
- Robert now makes his home in Minnesota; Jacob is also a resident
of that State; Charles is now deceased; Jerome is living in Minnesota;
Catherine makes her home in this county; Mary is living in Washington,
and Rachel resides in Edgerton. Mr. and Mrs. BUTTS were members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were earnest workers in
their Master's vineyard. Kind and charitable, ever ready to extend
a helping hand, they received the love and respect of all who
knew them. In politics Mr. BUTTS was a Democrat, and was numbered
among the leading citizens of this community. His death occurred
on the 31st day of August, 1843, and though he has long since
passed to his final rest, he is kindly remember by many friends
and companions of pioneer days. His wife, who was born Oct.13,
1804, survives her husband and lives with her son Theodore on
the old homestead. She is now in the eighty-fifth year of her
age, and all delight to do her honor, who for half a century
has been a resident of Rock County.
- Our subject was but twelve years of age when, with the family,
he located in the town of Fulton.
- Many and great are the changes which have been made since
that day. The country was but sparsely settled, the land was
still unturned by the plow, and the echoes of the forest had
not been awakened by the woodman's ax. The city of Janesville,
the metropolis of Southern Wisconsin, contained only a few houses
and but one store, and the first mill in the county was built
at Beloit, to which, when a lad, Mr. BUTTS would drive with an
ox-team, and remaining over night in the mill, returning the
next day with his flour. Indians were still quite numerous in
the settlement, but were friendly giving no trouble whatever.
On this western frontier our subject was reared to manhood, and
at the age of twenty-two years began operating, in his own interest,
his father's farm, of which he has had control ever since. His
life has been one of industry, and by his energy and enterprise
he has accumulated a comfortable competency. Cultivating and
improving his land, he now has one of the best farms of Rock
County, which is especially noted for its many beautiful homes.
In 1867 he erected a large and substantial dwelling, but the
little log cabin still stands as a memento of pioneer days, and
is one of the few landmarks which have withstood the ravages
of time. In connection with the cultivation of his farm, Mr.
BUTTS devotes considerable attention to the raising of fine stock,
including horses, cattle and hogs, making a specialty of Short-horn
Durham cattle. He has been quite successful in that line, and
deserves much credit for introducing an improved breed into the
county.
- On the 17th day of May, 1849, Mr. BUTTS was joined in wedlock
with Catherine KIMBALL,
- and of their union were born nine children. Ann Eliza, born
April 14, 1850, is the wife of George PARKER, of Beloit; Dena,
born Nov. 22, 1851, resides at home; Theodore, Jr., born Sept.
3, 1853, is living in Walworth County, Wis.; Eugene, born Aug.
9, 1855, is engaged in farming in this county; Ella, born Feb.
12, 1857, is the wife of L. K. PECK, a resident farmer of the
town of Fulton; George, born Dec. 11, 1859, makes his home in
Milton Junction; Henrietta, born Oct. 24, 1861, wedded Erford
FRINK, of Delavan, and Edward, the youngest, born May 5, 1866,
is still at home. The family circle yet remains unbroken, and
the children are all now respected men and women, who do honor
to the family name.
- Mr. BUTTS and his wife are communicants of the Methodist
Episcopal Church and contribute
- freely to the support of that cause. He is a friend to all
social, moral and educational interest, and like his father has
been an important factor in the upbuilding of the community.
He has not only been a witness of the growth and progress, but
has aided in the noble work of transformation which has made
Rock County, in many respects the banner county of the State.
Since his coming the pioneer homes have been replaced by substantial
dwellings and elegant residences, town and villages have sprung
up, churches and school-houses have been built, manufactories
and industries have been introduced, and where once the Indian
trail spanned the county the iron horse makes his prodigious
leaps, bringing every luxury known to the civilized world. From
the organization of the Republican party Mr. BUTTS has been numbered
among the warm advocates, and is an inflexible supporter of its
principles. He is a man of sterling worth, whose honesty of purpose
and upright life have gained him many friends, and it is with
pleasure that we record his sketch in this volume.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 689-691.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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