Thomas F. Butterfield, DeWitt

AMONG the business men of De Witt, few who have ever settled here brought with them more of the elements of success than Thomas F. Butterfield, who has been a trader here thirty-three years. He has indomitable energy and perseverance; carefully oversees every branch of his business; is shrewd and keen, yet conscientious; deals fairly with his customers, hence makes friends rapidly, secures and retains their custom easily, and his success is a fine example of the reward which industry and honest dealing often secure. Mr. Butterfield is the son of Jonathan Butterfield, a New Hampshire farmer, and Jane Forsyth, his birth dating at Goffstown, Hillsboro county, on the 19th of August, 1821. His grandparents on both sides of the family aided in gaining our independence, and his father was a captain in the war of 1812. Thomas commenced his business education as a clerk in Hopkinton when about fourteen; subsequently spent three or four terms in school at Weare, New Hampshire; operated for himself awhile as a merchant, and in the spring of 1844 removed from Hopkinton to De Witt. Here he resumed the mercantile business on a small scale, De Witt village at that time having less than fifty inhabitants. His first store was on Jackson street, facing the public square, where he remained several years, his family and goods being under the same roof. For twenty years or more he has been on Jefferson street, and is one of the leading merchants in the place, having a large store well stocked with general merchandise. For twenty-five years Mr. Butterfield has also dealt in agricultural implements and machines, being one of the first men in Clinton county to introduce such articles, and having been quite successful. A very large number of farmers in the county have dealt with him and found him "true as steel."

Mr. Butterfield was county clerk five years; treasurer and recorder four years, when the two offices were combined ; a member of the board of supervisors a year or two; has been mayor of the city, and held other offices, both city and county, and has left an untarnished record. He usually votes with the democratic party. He is a Freemason and has taken the thirty-second degree.

His wife was Caroline A. Gove, of Deering, New Hampshire, their marriage taking place in 1843. They have five children, three of whom are married and living in De Witt. Dennis G., formerly adjutant of the 26th Iowa Infantry, is a grain and lumber dealer- Mary Jane is the wife of Parley S. McCracken, and Ann A., of Jay O. Ferrel. Franklin P., a graduate of the Ann Arbor, Michigan, University, is an attorney at De Witt, and Charles is clerk for his father. The last two are single.

Mr. Butterfield is a man of hardly medium stature, dark complexion, "snugly built," well-preserved and "tough as a knot." He has a cheerful disposition, laughs easily, often and long, believes in sunshine and aids in making it.

Source:

The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men. Iowa Volume.

Chicago and New York: American Biographical Publishing Company, 1878