Butt, John

BUTT, RIGGER, FARMER, SEARS, BRYANT

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/1/2012 at 16:35:22

One of Poweshiek county's former agriculturists whose intelligently and capably directed efforts now enables him to live in retirement is John Butt, who was born in Lewis county, Virginia, on the 3d of September, 1839. He is the eldest son of William and Susan (Rigger) Butt, also natives of Lewis county. The parents came to Iowa in 1841, locating on a farm in Van Buren county, in the cultivation of which William Butt engaged for ten years. At the expiration of that period he disposed of his property and removed to Poweshiek county. He purchased a farm in Union township, upon which he settled in 1851, continuing to engage in general farming and stock-raising until his retirement to Oskaloosa and later to New Sharon, Mahaska county, where he was residing at the time of his demise. The mother passed away in Van Buren county, this state, in 1847. They were the parents of the following children: John, our subject; Mathilda who is deceased; and Henry, a resident of Republic county, Kansas. The family always worshipped with the Methodist Episcopal denomination, of which church the parents were members of many years standing. Mr. Butt always cast his ballot in support of the democratic candidates and at one time served as constable.
Being but a lad of twelve years when his father removed to Union township, the greater portion of the education of John Butt was acquired in the district schools of Poweshiek county. He remained a member of the paternal household until he was twenty-one years of age, assisting in the cultivation of the home farm. In 1860 he purchased his present home, which contains one hundred and twenty acres in Union township, and there he continues to reside although he has retired from active farming. Mr. Butt always devoted the greater part of his attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of the breeding and raising of thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs. During the long period of his residence on this farm he has wrought many improvements, having erected some very fine buildings which are always kept repaired, and as a result he owns one of the very valuable properties of the township.
In April, 1860, Mr. Butt was united in marriage to Miss Julia Farmer, a daughter of Henry L. and Diantha L. (Sears) Farmer. The father was a native of Virginia and the mother of New York state, but for a time they resided in Indiana, of which state Mrs. Butt is a native, removing from there to Iowa. They located in Poweshiek county in pioneer days settling on a farm in Pleasant township, which Mr. Farmer operated for many years. Both parents are now deceased. They were members of the United Brethren church, of which denomination the father was a local preacher, while in politics he was a republican. Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Butt, but two, Diantha and Homer, are deceased. Those surviving are: Henry, who is living at home; and Anthony, who is a resident of Union township. Mr. Butt also has four grandchildren: Orval, Earl, Hugh and Mildred, who are the sons and daughter of Anthony Butt. In 1890 Mrs. Butt passed away and he subsequently married Mrs. Harriet M. Farmer, a daughter of Shockley Bryant and the widow of Abner Farmer.
Mr. Butt has always exercised his fright of franchise in support of the candidates of the democratic party and has several times served s school director. He has lived beyond the allotted three score years and ten and has spent the greater portion of his life in Union township, among whose citizens he numbers many strong friends.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 512-514