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.

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages

This site is maintained by Joan and this page last updated July 2006

Click here to send Joan an e-mail
Back to the Marquette pages Menu