Butler, William T.

BUTLER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/28/2021 at 23:15:22

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.914

WILLIAM T. BUTLER
William T. Butler has throughout his active business life been prominently identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of Warren county and is today the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 20, Otter township. He was born upon this place, December 28, 1865, a son of William H. and Serepta E. (Truitt) Butler, both now deceased.
The father was born in Virginia in 1815 and spent the first eight years of his life in his native state. At that tender age he was thrown upon his own resources and had to make his way in the world unaided. Coming west he first located in Wisconsin, where he and his brother subsequently engaged in the stock business, and met with success in that undertaking. In 1860 he came to Warren county, Iowa, and secured one hundred and sixty acres of land in Otter township where our subject now lives. To the improvement and cultivation of that property he at once turned his attention and as time passed he became an extensive farmer, operating four hundred acres when he retired from active labor in 1878 and removed to Indianola, there spending his remaining days. While engaged in farming he always gave considerable attention to the stock business. He was an ardent democrat in politics and was a member of the Masonic fraternity. After a useful and well spent life, he passed away in 1884. His wife, who was born in Greene county, Indiana, June 12, 1831, also died in Indianola in 1894. She was reared in her native state, making her home there until her marriage, when shortly afterward she came with her husband to Warren county in 1860. In religious faith she was a Presbyterian. Three children were born to them: Thomas Luther, who was born in 1862 and died in 1864; William T., of this review; and Edwin P., who was born in 1867 and is now engaged in farming in Otter township. He married Miss Kate L. Liston, a daughter of William Liston, who resides with them.
William T. Butler spent his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and since attaining man's estate has engaged in its cultivation. He received a good practical education in the common schools, and has always engaged in stock-raising in connection with general farming. In 1887 he was married to Miss Lorena Amos, a daughter of James Amos, deceased, and to them were born seven children: Esther Pearl, Mary Ellen, Thomas A., Ruth Eva, Blanche and Olive Mac, all at home; and one who died in infancy.
In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Butler are Methodists and attend service at Brown's Chapel. He also holds membership in the blue lodge of the Masonic order at Indianola, the Modern Brotherhood and a fraternal insurance society. Politically he is a democrat, though he favors prohibition, and gives an earnest support to all measures which he believes will promote the moral, educational and material welfare of his township and county.