- GEORGE H. BUTTS, an enterprising and respected farmer, residing
on section 28, town of
- Milton, was born in this county on the 23d day of July, 1850,
and is a son of Stephen D. and Rebecca (DECATUR) BUTTS, who were
natives of Pennsylvania. The father made his first visit to the
Territory of Wisconsin in 1836, with the view of selecting a
location. After traveling over the State for some time, being
pleased with the land, climate and future prospects of Southern
Wisconsin, in 1836 he located a claim on what is now the town
of Milton, Rock County. After making a selection he returned
to his home in Stroudsburg, Pa., where the lady of his choice,
Miss Rebecca MILLER, was awaiting his return, and on the 4th
day of October, 1838, they were united in the holy bonds of matrimony.
The bridal tour of the young couple consisted of a trip to the
far Western home which he had selected, and here in a little
log cabin on the frontier they began their domestic life. To
Stephen D. BUTTS is accredited the honor of having turned the
first furrow in the town of Milton, and for years he was prominently
identified with the leading interests of the community. In that
little home his children, nine in number, were all born. The
three eldest, Mary, John and Hannah, are deceased; Anna is now
the wife of Frank FLETCHER, a grain dealer, residing in Columbia,
Dak.; George H., of this sketch, was the next in order of birth;
Austin is a practicing attorney in Springfield, Mo.; Charles
is now deceased; Hattie is now the wife of David HORN, a prominent
attorney and banker of Clear Lake, Iowa, and Martha, the youngest,
has also departed this life.
- Public-spirited and progressive, Stephen D. BUTTS was a leading
citizen of Rock County, and
- was always found in the foremost ranks in any enterprise
calculated to be of public benefit. In the interests of the community
he took a prominent part, and his name is inseparable from the
farming records of the town of Milton. He and his wife are earnest
Christian people, devout and consistent, and for many years were
communicants of the Congregational Church of East Milton. Their
upright lives won them the confidence of all; their deeds of
charity and their kind and benevolent acts caused them to be
the recipients of many a blessing and heartfelt thanks from those
upon whom they have bestowed their bounty. On coming to this
county their capital was indeed small, consisting largely of
willing hearts and strong hands and a determination to make for
themselves a home. The success which crowned their efforts and
the prosperity which has followed them through life are due alone
to their great industry, their energy, perseverance and ability.
From the wild and uncultivated prairie they developed one of
the finest farms in the county, upon which they erected a beautiful
brick residence, where they made their home until 1887, when
they removed to Clear Lake, Iowa. There we find them on the 4th
day of October, 1888, surrounded by their children and grandchildren,
who have gathered to celebrate the golden wedding of that worthy
couple. For fifty years they had traveled life's journey together,
sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its pleasures and
its pains, and now a happy company had assembled in commemoration
of the day when they had promised at the marriage altar to take
each other for better or for worse. The day was passed amid congratulations
and good cheer, and many fine presents were given to them in
token of the love and esteem in which they are held. It was a
day never to be forgotten by the four children, four grandchildren
and many friends there assembled. Though Mr. and Mrs. BUTTS are
no more residents of Rock County, their friends are many in this
community, and we join with them in the wish that their lives
may be spared for many years to come.
- The primary education of our subject was received in the
common district schools of Rock County.
- He afterwards attend Appleton and Milton Colleges. He was
reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and on the old homestead
where his childhood days were passed his entire life has been
spent, the exception of two years, 1876 and 1877, when he rented
a farm belonging to his father in Union Township. He later purchased
seventy acres comprised in the old home farm, and afterwards
became the owner of the remaining 130 acres, his entire farm
comprising 200 acres of fine, valuable land. He has inherited
from his father those characteristics necessary to success -
energy and enterprise, which, combined with good business ability
and sound judgment, make him one of the leading farmers of the
community. His home, with its entire surroundings, indicates
thrift and refinement, and neatness and regularity everywhere
abound.
- Mr. BUTTS was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth McEWAN,
a daughter of William
- McEWAN, whose sketch will be found on another page of this
work. Three children were born unto them - William D., who was
a bright and promising lad, was drowned in the Rock River at
the age of eight years; Addie M. and Nellie, the two younger
children, are yet a home. In 1881 Mr. BUTTS was called upon to
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 1st day of March
of that year. She was a kind and devoted wife and mother, and
a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
one whose life was in perfect harmony with her profession. On
the 2d day of April, 1885, he was again married, his union being
with Mrs. Amanda ADAIR, nee WINSTON, widow of Norris W. ADAIR
and daughter of Reuben WINSTON, of Evansville. She had two children
by her former marriage, sons Ralph and Herman. She is a member
of the Congregational Church and a lady highly beloved for her
many excellent traits of character.
- George H. BUTTS is numbered among Rock County's best citizens.
He is ever ready to respond
- to the calls made upon him for aid to assist in the promotion
of public enterprises, has contributed liberally to all social,
educational and moral interests, and has been identified with
the history of the county for many long years. Socially he is
a member of the Patrons of Industry. For many years he affiliated
with the Republican party, believing that through that organization
the most good would be accomplished for the greatest number of
people, but of late years, thinking that the suppression of the
liquor traffic has become the first question of importance, he
has joined forces with the Prohibitionists. As a valued and worthy
citizen, and representative of one of the honored pioneer families
of the county, his sketch deserves a prominent place in this
volume, and it is with pleasure that we record this brief outline
of his life's work.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 707-709.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|