Biographical Sketch of

Manuel Bute

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 749 - 750 


Manuel W. Bute, Esq., who is practically living a retired life, on section 5, in the town of Hancock, is an 
honored pioneer and prominent citizen of Waushara County and is also well and favorably known throughout the 
State.  The active part which he has taken in the upbuilding and advancement of the county's interests, and 
his untiring labors in her behalf, deserve recognition in this volume, and it is with pleasure that we record 
his sketch.
 
Mr. Bute was born in New York, Dec. 5, 1815, and is a son of Lewis B. and Elizabeth (Smith) Bute, both of whom 
were natives of the Empire State.  The father, however, traces his ancestry back to France, and the mother is 
of English descent.  Lewis Bute made farming his life occupation, and was thus employed in Lake County, Ill., 
at the time of his death.  He received a sun-stroke, and was but recovering from its effects when he was taken 
with diptheria, which disease terminated his life in 1869.  His remains were laid to rest in the cemetery of 
Jackson, Ill.  His wife died in 1846.  They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are yet living:  
Lewis H., of Barrington, Ill.; Eli M., of S. Dak.; Barney F., of San Jose, Cal.; Manuel W., of this sketch; 
Samantha, wife of Benjamin Felter, of Lake County, Ill.; and Catherine, wife of Addison Wood, of Grundy County, 
Ill.  After the death of the mother of these children, Mr. Bute married Mrs. Dosha White, who lived but a few 
years, dying without issue.  His third wife was Mrs. Lucy Blandou, who is now living in Gage county, Neb.  They 
had two children--Eva and Milton--who reside in the same county.  Lewis Bute's grandfather was a native of France, 
where he was reared and educated to the profession of a physician and surgeon.  He came to America a few years 
after the Revolutionary War, and settled in Schoharie County, N. Y., where he practiced his profession until the 
time of his death, which occurred in middle life from a fit of apoplexy.  Our subject's grandmother on the paternal 
side, Sarah Hasard, was a native of Rhode Island, descended from English ancestors.  His grandfather on the maternal
side was Whitehead Smith, and he was born on Long Island.  He was taken prisoner by the British when seventeen years 
of age and put on board a man-of-war, where he served seven years as cabin-boy.  After the close of the war he remained 
in England seven years, when he married Abigail Heifard and then returned to his native country.  After the death of 
his first wife he married a Miss Mackie, who was of Scotch or Irish extraction.
 
Manuel W. Bute attended the common schools in his boyhood days, and then assisted his father in the cultivation of the 
farm and aided in the support of the family until twenty-six years of age, when he began the study of law.  Although 
he mastered the profession, he never engaged in practice to any extent.  On leaving home he married Ruth A. Jillson, 
the wedding taking place Dec. 15, 1841.  After his marriage, Mr. Bute engaged in farming until thirty years of age, 
when he removed with his family to Wyoming county, N. Y., where for seven years he continued operations as a shoe dealer.  
Selling out, he started for the West in 1854, his destination being Lake County, Ill.  where he purchased a farm, but 
after a year sold out and returned to Wyoming County, N. Y.  Four years more were spent in that community, when in 
December, 1859, he took up his residence in the town of Hancock, Waushara County, where he purchased eighty acres on 
Section 5, his present farm.  But little of the land had then been broken and few improvements had been made.  Mr. Bute 
erected a large two-story dwelling, one of the best in the town, and has succeeded in converting the land into a highly 
cultivated farm.  It was no easy task to break the land and transform it into the fertile fields which we to-day see, 
but he accomplished the task, and has not only secured a pleasant home, but has acquired a comfortable competency, 
which enables him and his wife to lay aside many of the duties of former years and enjoy a quiet and peaceful existence.  
He also owns 160 acres of land in Adams County.
 
Throughout his life Mr. Bute has been a great reader of the best class of literary productions, and is one of the most 
intelligent citizens of the county.  He is now devoting his time to the writing of a work containing questions and answers 
in regard to the constitution and law--whether or not the people can be compelled to pay taxes for the upbuilding of private 
institutions, such as railroads, etc.  It will be ready for publication in the spring of 1890.  For thirty years Mr. Bute 
has been a resident of Waushara County, and during that entire period has been regarded as one of its progressive and 
public-spirited citizens, who have the best interests and welfare of the community at heart.  He is a stanch supporter 
of the Prohibition party, and his voice has often been heard in argument and pleading for the people who advocate the 
cause of temperance and to put down the liquor traffic.  He has held the office of Justice of the Peace of the town of 
Hancock for the long period of twenty-four years, during which time he has married thirty-three couples.  He also held 
the office of Coroner for about eight years.  The Methodist Church has found in Mr. Bute a faithful member and supporter 
for forty years, and his wife, a consistent Christian lady, is also a member of the same church.  Their lives are full 
of acts of kindness and deeds of charity, and out of the goodness of their hearts they took to their home and affection 
two boys, whom they educated and cared for until they were able to provide for themselves.  The elder, Marion Crittenden, 
resides in California, and the younger, John Sherwood, is now living in Plainview, Minn.
 
 




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