Biographical Sketch of

William M. Butler

Transcribed by Joan Benner



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 428 and 429

William M. Butler, deceased, was born in 1812, but when a lad removed with his parents to Indiana, the family 
locating in Shelby County, where he was reared to manhood. In that county he also became acquainted with and 
married Miss Eunice Stone, they making it their home until the spring of 1846, when we find them enroute to 
Green Lake County. On their arrival, Mr. Butler purchased 240 acres of land in the town of Mackford, constituting 
the farm on which his son Ira now resides. Under his able management and by his untiring labor, the wild prairie 
was transformed into one of the best farms in the county and Mr. Butler was numbered among the leading citizens 
of the community. In the spring of 1846, he purchased the first herd of cattle ever brought to the county and did 
much toward advancing the grade of stock raised. With oxen, he hauled his grain to Milwaukee and his grist to the 
mill at Watertown. He shared in all the trials and hardships of pioneer life, but uncomplainingly bore all such 
difficulties until at length prosperity crowned his efforts and he became a well-to-do farmer.

Mr. Butler was twice married and by his first union there were born in Indiana three children, one of whom is yet 
living, Ira, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Only a few years had passed after the arrival of the 
family in Wisconsin, when the mother was called to her final rest. She was a faithful member of the Christian Church 
and was beloved by all who knew her, for her many excellent qualities of head and heart. The second union of Mr. 
Butler was with Miss Mary Soule. To them were born the following children: William, now of Kansas; Addie, wife of 
James Llewellyn of Oshkosh; Chauncey, whose home is in Kansas; Ovid, who is living in the same State; Joseph, 
Benjamin F. and Charles, all of Green Lake County; Annie, wife of Uriah Johnson, and Lewis and Eleanor, both 
residents of Green Lake County.

Mr. Butler was a firm supporter of the Republican Party and a warm advocate of its principles. He held several 
local offices of trust, including that of Justice of the Peace and Chairman of the Town Board. In all affairs 
pertaining to the up building and advancement of the county he was liberal and did all in his power to promote 
the educational, social and religious interests of the community. He made friends wherever he went and had but 
few if any enemies. He was a member of the Christian church and died in the faith of that organization in Kansas, 
in the spring of 1880. His wife survived until the following fall, when she too passed away.






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