USA > Iowa > Cedar County > The history of Cedar County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. : a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 84
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Dorcas, Jesse, far., S. 19 ; P. O. Tipton. Dorcas, John far .; S. 12; P. O. Tipton. Dorcas, Josiah, far .; S. 2; P. O. Tipton. ISCHER, JAKE, far., S. 24; P. O. E Tipton.
F
OWLIE, ARTHUR, farmer, Sec. 14; P. O. Tipton.
FERGUSON, JOHN, farmer and stock raiser; Sec. 13; P. O. Tipton ; born in the Highlands of Scotland Oct. 31, 1804, and emigrated to America in 1831; lived in New York State three years, then went to Indiana ; in company with John Safley and Charles Dallas, he started to Iowa with ox teams, and crossed the Mississippi River at Rock- ingham, about Sept. 10, 1836; after reaching the grove about two miles be- low Moscow, they stopped for the Win- ter; all were taken sick but him and his wife; he cut hay for their cattle, and the prairie fires burned it all ; they crossed over to Illinois, and were fortu- nate enough to get a log house near Hendersonville to stay in during the Winter; in January, he came again to Iowa, following the trail, and after stop- ping once or twice, came to Red Oak and located three claims, and on his way back for his family paid twenty-five cents each to have his claims recorded ; Washington Rigby was the only settler here then ; in April, 1837, in company with Safley and Dallas, he came and located on his claim ; he was the first foreigner that made a beginming for a . home in this county, over 41 years ago; he brought the first grist that came from a mill in Cedar County ; the next grist
was ground, or cracked, in a mill made by him, Chas. Dallas and Wm. Coutts. He owns 440 acres of land, and has held the office of Supervisor two years ; also held town and school offices. His first wife was Isabella Starak, from Scot- land ; she died in 1847, leaving one son and three daughters; he married Jean- nette Fairchild, from Scotland, in 1848; they have three sons and five daughters ; his son Hugh was in the army, in the 9th Iowa Cavalry, was taken prisoner at Andersonville, and in prison six months.
FILLOON, F. M., Sec. 5; P. O. Mechanicsville; born in Richland Co., Ohio, March 3, 1846; lived in Ohio thirty years, and was engaged on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad many years ; was in the army, in the 6th Ohio Cav- alry, Co. M; was in the battles of An- tietam, Wilderness, Bottom Bridge, Weldon Railroad and others; at the battle of Weldon Railroad, ninety-six went into the fight, and all killed and wounded but thirteen ; was in nine bat- tles.
Fenley, James.
G T
AMBEL, THOMAS, laborer, Sec. 14 ; P. O. Tipton.
GALBRAITH, GEORGE, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Tipton ; born in the north of Ireland, Nov. 6, 1822; came to this country about 1847, and and came to Muscatine, Iowa, and came to Cedar County, and located where he now lives ; entered government land and engaged in farming, and is one of the early settlers; owns 170 acres of land ; has been Road Supervisor. Married Janette Grieve, from the State of New York, March 24, 1859 ; they have four children-Richard D., Mary E., Samuel L. and Nettie May ; lost one daughter in infancy.
GOODRICH, JOHN, deceased ; farmer ; Scc. 11; P. O. Shiloh ; born in Suffolk Co., England, Aug. 1, 1795, and emigrated to America in 1832 ; lived in Connecticut, then went to Indiana; in 1837, he went to Waukesha, Wis., and worked by the month, and not get- ting his money, he started for Iowa with his gun, carpet bag and $20 in money, and arrived in Cedar County, at the Grove, in November, 1838; he husked corn for Chas. Dallas ; during the win-
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RED OAK TOWNSHIP.
669
ter, he split 3,000 rails ; he was one of the old settlers, and a member of the Old Settler's Association of Red Oak Grove ; he began farming in 1839. Mar- ried Miss D. Rickards Feb. 19, 1845 ; she was from Cornish, N. H., and came to this county in 1843 ; he died Feb. 2, 1877, leaving four children; also, an estate of 267 acres of land ; names of children-Ezra, Tamer, Annie and Sarah ; they lost four children-Simon, Mary, John and Lydia. Ezra was in the army in the 24th Regt. Iowa In- fantry, Co. B, and was wounded in the battle of Opequan Creek, Sept. 19, 1864.
Grahanı, John, farmer, Sec. 15.
H ERRING, ALBERT, farmer, Sec. 8; P. O. Mechanicsville.
HARDACRE, JACOB, farmer, Sec. 20; P. O. Tipton; born in Lou- doun Co., Va., Dec. 12, 1822 ; moved to Ohio in boyhood, then went to Indi- ana and lived there until 1841 ; came by team to Cedar County and settled in Cass Township ; there were Indians here then ; engaged in farming; in 1852, crossed the plains to California, and returned in 1853; though he com- menced with very little, he now owns 1,000 acres of land in this county and several hundred acres elsewhere. Married Lucy Moffit, from Ireland, in 1859; she came to this county in 1840.
Herring, William, farmer, Sec. 8.
Huber, E. M., far., S. 14; P. O. Tipton. TACKSON, RICHARD, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O. Mechanicsville.
ITTLE, S. H., P. O. Tipton.
L
LAING, WILLIAM, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. O. Tipton ; born in Scotland Octo- ber, 1823, and cmigrated to America in 1853 ; came to Iowa the same year and located in Scott County and lived there ten years, and came to Cedar County in 1863 ; engaged in farming and stock raising ; owns 150 acres of land. Mar- ried Mary Wilson from Scotland ; they have seven children-Margaret, Jane, William, George, John, James and Allan ; lost three children.
LAMLEY, JOHN, farmer, Scc. 5; P. O. Mechanicsville ; born in Ray Co., Mo., Nov. 3, 1847 ; went to Ohio with his parents in infancy, and lived there
until he was 16 years old ; came to Cedar County and Mechanicsville in 1863 ; went to Kansas in 1870 and then to Ohio, and returned here and engaged in farming ; owns a farm of eighty acres ; has held office of Town Clerk and is now School Director. Married Miss Mary Jane Paton, from this county, Oct. 5, 1867 ; they have three children-Agnes, William L. and Leroy ; his father was in the army-3d Ohio Cavalry, Co. E, Veteran ; in service four years ; was Regimental Wagon Master.
Laing, Wm., far., S. 15 ; P. O. Tipton.
ASON, WM., minister, Sec. 11 ; P. M O. Shiloh.
MAXWELL, ROBERT, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 18; P. O. Me- chanicsville ; born in Washington Co., Penn., March 26, 1828; went to Ohio at an early age ; when 10 years old, his father died and the care of the family devolved upon him; worked by the month, saved $250, then bought sheep and engaged in the stock business ; came to Davenport in 1855 ; began butchering and then went to dealing in stock exten- sively all over the State ; has bought as high as 2,200 head of hogs at one time ; bought the farin where he now lives, in 1866, and engaged in farming and stock raising ; owns 325 acres of land. Mar- ried Elizabeth J. Burge, from Greene Co., Penn., in September, 1860 ; they have six children-Mary J., Stella, Theda, Minnie, Bessie and baby ; they lost one son and one daughter.
MCAFEE, SAMUEL, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O. Mechaniesville ; born in Perry Co., Penn., July 11, 1843, and came to this county when 10 years of age, with his parents, and has lived here twenty- four years; engaged in farming and stock raising ; owns 170 acres of land; has been Road Supervisor. Married Miss Lydia A. Davis, from near Tren- ton, N. J., in September, 1868 ; they have four children -- Daniel, James, Francis and baby ; lost one son.
McLun, Wm., far. ; S. 12; P. O. Tipton. Marshall, Thos., P. O. Tipton.
Moffett, Chiarles C., farmer, Sec. 9.
MOFFIT, FRANK, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 17 ; P. O. Mechanics- ville ; born in Ireland July, 1824, and came to America in June, 1840 ; started
670
DIRECTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY :
West just after election day, with par- ents, four brothers and two sisters ; the boa. they came on carried the news of the election of President Harrison to all the towns on the river to Muscatine ; they located at Mason's Grove ; has lived in this county ever since, except two years spent in California ; is engaged in farming and stock raising ; is one of the largest hog raisers in this county ; owns 770 acres of land. Married Arabella McAffee, from Pennsylvania, Jan. 11, 1855 ; they have seven children-Mar- garet J., Lizzie, Mollie, Eva, Andrew, William and Carrie ; have lost two chil- dren.
Moffett, G., farmer, S. 9 ; P. O. Mechanics- ville.
Moffett, Horace C., farmer, Sec. 9.
Moffett, J. S. far., Sec. 9; P. O. Tipton. MOFFETT, JOHN M., deceased ; born in Kentucky Ang. 2, 1804; went to Miami Co., Ohio when 10 years of age, and among the carly settlers in that section of the country ; married Sarah Stephenson, from Ohio, Nov. 17, 1836 ; they came by teain to this Statein Novem- ber, 1852; located for several months in Linn Co., and came to Cedar Co. in Feb- ruary, 1853, and engaged in farming and stock raising; the first blooded cattle cver came this county he brought from Ohio, and he was extensively engaged in raising, buying and shipping stock ; has driven hogs to Rock Island and shipped them East from there, and has driven cattle to Chicago from here; he was well known all over this part of the State as " Uncle Johnnie. " He died Oct. 11, 1876, leav- ing eight children and a large estate- over 600 acres land ; George J., James S., Samuel C., Welford W., Horace C., Charles C., Kittie and Laura A .; lost two children. Mrs. Moffett still lives on the homeplace with her four sons and two daughters; her husband's father and brother were taken prisoners by the Indians in Virginia, and were held cap- tives; one of them three years and six months and the other five years, until after the battle of Piqua on the Miami River, when they were released.
Moffett, W. W., far., S. 9; P. O. Tipton. Moon, R., far., S. 12; P. O. Tipton.
Murry, A., far., S. 8; P.O. Mechanicsville. Murry, W., far., S. 8 ; P. O. Mechanicsville.
N EWSONS, J. F., farmer, Sec. 21; P. O. Tipton.
NEELY, WM., farmer and stock raiser ; Sec. 20; P. O. Tipton ; born in Ireland, 1813, and came to America in 1833 ; lived in Philadelphia three years ; lived in Pennsylvania until 1846, when he came to lowa to Cedar Co .; located in Center Tp., and engaged in farming, and has lived here thirty-one years; only had $100 when he came, and now owns 325 acres of land; used to cart grain to Muscatine, and also dressed pork and sold it for $1.75 per hundred pounds. Married Margery Moffit from Ireland, April 1, 1836; they have six children -Elizabeth, Robert, Margaret, William F., Lucinda and Anna; lost one son. Robert was in the army, in the 24th Regt. Iowa Inf., Co. C; was in several battles ; was wounded twice the same day in battle at Champion Hill; was shot through left leg and in right hand, and was discharged on account of wounds received, and allowed a pension.
P ATTON, HENDERSON, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Mechanicsville.
PATERSON, JAMES, farmer and stock dealer; Scc. 23; P. O. Tipton; born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Feb. 10, 1841 ; came to this county in infancy with his parents ; they came to Ashland Co., Ohio, where he lived until 1853, and then came to this county, and has re- sided here since ; is engaged in buying grain in Tipton ; holds office of Assessor of Red Oak Tp., and has been Consta- ble several years. Married Miss Isabella Shearer, from Edinburg, Scotland, Dec. 25, 1863; she died April 17, 1873, leaving a family of three children, one son and two daughters-Effie I., Joseph A. and Mary L.
PATERSON, JOSEPH, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Tipton ; born in Aber- deenshire, Scotland, April 1, 1818 ; emi- grated to America in 1841; lived in Ashland Co., Ohio ten years, and came to Cedar Co. Junc, 1853, and located where he now lives ; engaged in farming and stock raising ; owns 217 acres of land ; has held office of Justice of the Peace and School Director. Married Barbara Beveridge from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Mar., 1840; they have one son -James Paterson, born Feb. 10, 1841.
671
RED OAK TOWNSHIP.
R EEDER, W. B., farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. O. Tipton.
RICKARD, WILLIAM E.,
farmer, See. 13 ; P. O. Tipton ; born in Sullivan Co., N. H., May 12, 1834; lived there nine years, and came with parents to Cedar Co .; they came by team, and was three months on the way ; arrived here Aug. 20, 1843; they were early settlers ; engaged in farming ; owns farm of 140 acres ; was in the army ; enlisted in 11th Regt. I. V. I. Co. K,; was in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, seige of Vicksburg, Atlanta and others : was taken prisoner at battle of Atlanta, and taken to Andersonville and Flor- ence, and was released after seven months, and being nearly starved ; he has held office of Justice of the Peace, and is Town Trustce. Married Miss Ellen Hart, from Michigan, December, 1865 ; they have five children-Edgar, Ruth. Rosa, Emeline and Sidney ; lost one son-Chester.
Rickard, W., far., S. 13; P. O. Tipton.
ROWSER, SAMUEL S., black- smith, Red Oak Grove; Sec. 11; P. O. Shiloh ; born in Bedford Co., Penn., Aug. 24, 1826 ; lived in Pennsylvania seventeen years; came to Davenport, Iowa, in 1844, and learned his trade there ; then returned East and lived there until 1856, when he came to Cedar Co. and engaged in his business here at the Grove, and is the only blacksmith in this town; owns house and lot and small farm ; has held office of Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk, Town Trustce and Secretary School Board. Married Fanny Drollin- ger, from Pennsylvania ; they have nine children-John M., Ann E., Anthony W., Nancy, Ella, Irving, Charles, Eddie and Mabel; lost onc son-George.
YAFLEY, ALFRED, farmer, Sec. 13;
SA P. O. Tipton.
SAFLEY, GEORGE, farmer, Sec. 25; P. O. Tipton ; born in Scotland, Aug. 12, 1810; lived there thirty-two years ; came to America in 1842, and came to this State (to Linn County) the same year; lived there five years, and came to this county in 1847; engaged in farming; entered land from Govern- ment ; there were Indians here then, and they used to come into their cabin to warm ; he has carted wheat to Mus-
catinc and Davenport and sold it for 30 cents per bushel and pork for 13 cents per pound ; he owns 190 acres of land; has held road offices. Married Janet Brown, from Scotland, June 21, 1839 ; she was born in 1819; they have eight children-Ellen, Adam, Agnes, Lottie, Jennic, George, Willie and Lewis ; lost two; John W. was in the army, in Co. B., 24th Regt. I. V. I., and died in Jef- ferson Barracks, St. Louis.
Safley, James, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Tipton.
SAFLEY, JAMES, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 25; P. O. Tipton ; born in Scotland, Oct. 24, 1812; came to America in 1835 ; lived in La Grange Co., Ind., about two years and went to Albany Co., N. Y., and lived there until 1840, when he started for Iowa; came to Chicago, which was then in its in- fancy, and from there came by team to Linn County ; lived there three years, and came to this county in 1843, and settled on the farm where he now lives, and has lived here thirty-four years- one of the early settlers; has carted wheat to Muscatine and sold it for 40 cents per bushel, and as a special favor got one-half cash. and sold dressed pork in Iowa City for $1.25 per 100 Ibs ; used to haul pork to Dubuque and Wis- consin to find a market for it ; he owns 550 acres of land ; has held school and road offices ; was elected Justice of the Peace but refused to serve. Mr. Safley has been married three times ; married Janet Safley, from Scotland, in 1837; she died in 1846; they had four chil- dren-John, Robert and Socrates ; one died in infancy. Married Eliza Tryon, from Vermont, in July, 1848; she died in 1858 ; they had four children-Hul- da, Laura and George ; lost one, Mary. Married his present wife, Margaret Ritchie, from Scotland, Sept. 18, 1860; they have six children-Clarence, Nel- lie J., Arthur, Effie, Archie and Agnes. He had three sons in the army-John G. enlisted in Co. K, 11th Regt. I. V. I., was promoted to Captain, and was wounded at Atlanta July 22, 1864; Socrates was in Co. K, 11th Regt. I. V. I., and was killed in battle at At- lanta ; Robert was in Co. C, 24th I. V. I., and died at Milliken's Bend.
572
DIRECTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY :
SAFLEY, JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, See. 13; P. O. Tipton ; born in Edinburg, Scotland, Dec. 25, 1806, and emigrated to America in 1834; lived in Connecticut and New York, and came to Indiana in 1835; in 1836 he started with an ox team, in company with John Ferguson and Charles Dallas, for Iowa; they were twenty-eight days on the way, and crossed the river in September; they reached the grove two miles below Moscow and stopped for the Winter; they were taken sick and the prairie fire burned all the hay they had cut for their stock ; they crossed over into Illinois and were very lucky to get a log house near Hender- sonville wherein to stay during the Win- ter; it cost them about $30 to live while there; the following April, he came with the others here to Red Oak Grove; he lived one year with John Ferguson, then settled on his own claim and has lived here ever sinee (over forty- one years), and is one of the very few in this county or State who have lived on the claim they made from govern- ment over forty-onc years ago; in the Fall of 1837, he went to Henderson- ville, Ill., ninety miles, after secd wheat ; took some of it to Knoxville to get it ground ; the miller was drunk and he had to take his oxen and got a boy to drive them while he ground the wheat; he was gone about three weeks; he took a load of pork to Iowa City, sold it for $1.25 per cwt. and gave 100 1bs of pork for a yard of Kentucky jeans ; hc and Capt. Higginson once drove from Chicago in six days, and all it cost for themselves was 95 cents; he drove to Chicago and hauled the first reaping machine ever brought here, in 1849, and cut 200 acres that harvest; has held town and school offices; has been President of the School Board; owns 480 acres of land. Married Elizabeth Davis, from Pennsylvania, in 1839; she died in August, 1874, leaving eight children-four sons and four daughters. Shea, B. S., far., S. 6; P. O. Mechanics- ville.
Slater, Geo., farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Tipton. Slater, Thos., far., Sec. 1; P. O. Tipton. SMITH, JAMES, farmer and stock raiser, See. 4; P. O. Mechanicsville ;
born in Scotland, Nov. 7, 1825 ; lived there twenty-seven years and came to Ameriea in 1852, and eame to Cedar Co. the same year ; located on the farm where he now lives ; engaged in farming and stock raising, and has lived here over twenty-five years. Owns 310 acres of land; holds office of Justice of the Peace, and Secretary of the School Board, and has held other town and sehool offices. Married Miss Margaret Lindsay, from Scotland, May 1, 1855 ; they have six children-Susie E., Matie B., Hattie H., Willie L., Anna M., and Harry S.
W ILLIAMS, ELIAS, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Tipton.
Williams, L., far., Scc. 16 ; P. O. Tipton. WILLIAMS, THEO., farmer, Sec. 9; P. O. Mechanicsville; born in Maryland March 15, 1833; went to Ohio and lived there fifteen years, and in Indiana two years; they came by wagon to this county in April, 1851, and located near Gower's Ferry ; has lived in this county over twenty-six years ; engaged in farming and stock raising ; owns a farm of 160 aeres, and has held school and road offices. Mar- ried Susan C. Lindsay, from Scotland ; they have three children-James L., Ada May, and Susan ; lost two daugh- ters-Ida May, and Ada Barbara.
Williams, Tlos., far., S. 16 ; P. O. Tipton. Wills, J. C.
Wisner, A., far., Sec. 20; P. O. Tipton. ULE, A. farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Shiloh.
Y Yule, James, far., Sec. 10; P. O. Shiloh. Yule, John, far., Sec. 10; P. O. Shiloh. YULE, SAMUEL, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 10; P. O. Shiloh ; born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Aug. 12, 1815 ; lived there twenty-one years and emigrated to America in 1836; lived in Ohio one year, and came to this county Aug. 8, 1837; located on the farm where he now lives; made the claim and entered it from the Govern- ment when it came in market. He commenced work by the month. He, John Chappell, and Peter Wilson kept " bach" in the Winter of 1837; after that he kept "bach " for some years on this farm; only six settlers here then ; the nearest mill was at White Oak
673
FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Grove, Ill., seventy-five miles, and the nearest store, blacksmith and post office, was forty miles distant. He had to practice rigid economy to save money to pay postage on a letter. Hc only had $8 when he came here and now owns 415 acres of land ; has held town and school offices ; was Secretary and Treas- urer of the Town School Board, and he is President of the Old Settlers' Asso- ciation of Cedar Co. Married Serepta
A. Clark, from Wayne Co., N. Y., July 1, 1848; she died in 1863 and left six children-Delia M., Ann A., Agnes E., John F., Ormus F. and Emma S .; lost one. Married Mary Ann Porter, from Essex, England, October, 1863; they have seven children-Charles E., Albert E., Susan E., Fred W., Edgar H., El- mer and Adelaide.
OOP, A. M., farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Z Tipton.
FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP.
A RMENTROUT, J., Wilton.
Ayers, J., far., Sec. 6 ; P. O. Wilton. Ayers, L., far., Sec. 6; P. O. Wilton.
B AHL, S., P. O. Durant.
Banker, H. J., far., S. 16; P. O. Durant. Barr, S., far., Sec. 9 ; P. O. Durant.
Barr, T., far., Sec. 11 ; P. O. Durant. Bartscher, D., far., Sec. 10 ; P. O. Durant. Bartscher, F., far., Sec. 10; P. O. Durant. Bartscher, Wm., far., S. 16 ; P. O. Durant. Beerkamp, A., far., Scc. 34; P. O. Durant. Bowman, Jerry, P. O. Wilton.
Boynton, O., far., Sec. 18 ; P. O. Wilton. Brammier, F. W., farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. O. Wilton.
Brammier, H. K., farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. O. Wilton.
BROWN, BENTON W., agent C., R. I. & P. R. R. at Durant ; born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1834; came to this town with his father, Hon. Matthew Brown, in 1852. Married Miss Catherine Murphy, of Bennington, Vt., Dec. 25, 1856 ; have three children -Charles H., Edward and Frederick W. Has been with the Railroad Com- pany sixteen years.
Brown, P., far., Scc. 31; P. O. Wilton. Bunger, A., far., Sec. 24 ; P. O. Durant. BUTTERFIELD, LAURA F.,
MRS., farming, Sec. 30; P. O. Wil- ton, Muscatine Co., Iowa ; estate of 640 acres ; was daughter of T. Ransom and Charlotte P. Austin, of Milan, Ind., who was the son of Elisha, of Woodstock ; she was born May 21, 1827. Married Mr. Franklin Butterfield Oct. 14, 1855 ; he
was born Jan. 4, 1823 ; son of Asa and Sarah Tuffts ; his father is still living at Farmington, Me. ; his mother died when he was about 2 years old, at which time he was taken into the family of his grandfather, John Tuffts ; when 14 years old he, with his grandfather, moved to Dearborn Co., Ind., where school facili- ties were very poor and meager; at 18 years of age he attended school two terms, taught by his uncle, S. Tuffts, at Mainville, Ohio; at 19, commenced teaching District School in Ripley, at $8 per month, and continued teaching both Winter and Summer terms for ten years, with only one or two intermissions ; price per month averaging about $13; in 1846, went to Nauvoo; attended the dedication of the Mormon Temple and heard the address of Orson Hyde ; soon after this the Mormons commenced mov- ing to Utah ; they were generally a very ignorant class of people, and easily made to believe whatever was told them by their superiors ; participated in an en- gagement between the citizens and a mob in the city, which lasted about one hour and a half, when the mob retreated in confusion, May 5, 1849 ; visited the jail at Carthage, where Joe and Hiram Smith were killed, in June, 1844 ; Tay- lor and Richards were in the same chamber room and not killed. The mob consisted of about 125 men. July 2, 1849, his grandfather, Tuffts, died of old age; about this time he commenced clerking in Aurora, Ind., at $110 per year; his health failing, he was obliged to leave at the end of three months ;
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674
DIRECTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY :
April 3, 1851, received an appointment in the P. O. Department at Washington, D. C., under President Filhnore, at a salary of $1,000; in the Fall of 1852, visited his old native home in Maine, purchased and erected suitable stones at the graves of his mother and sister. March 15, 1853, married Mary A., daughter of Isaac Waites, of Washing- ton, D. C. On the 10th of May was dis- missed from the department by Franklin Pierce and moved to this place, becom- ing a farmer, in July of the same year, and built a house on his farm that Fall ; also purchased the land on which the original town of Wilton, which he named in honor of his native town in Maine, and was laid out by him in September, 1854, recorded in October, 1855 ; July 1, 1854, his wife died, leaving a daugh- ter, which soon followed her ; the town- ship of Farmington was also named in honor of the township that Mr. Butter- field was born in. In the Spring of 1859, he and his wife were instrumental in the organization of the Free-Will Bap- tist Church in the Burr Oak School- house, of which he was a worthy mem- ber till death. In the erection of the Seminary at Wilton he bore a conspicu- ous part, and when it was offered to the Free- Will Baptist Church became still more zealous in making the school an honor to the town and church, total do- nations to the Seminary amounting to $10,000. Iu the village he has expend- ed about $15,000 in permanent and sub- stantial buildings. He was always very radical on the question of temperance ; in his will he gave the Y. M. C. Uniou $200, to be paid whenever the temper- ance vote kept the sale of spirituous liquors out of the town ; also gave $100 to the Freedman's College at Harper's Ferry. When the Free-Will Baptist Church was built, on Sec. 30, he paid over one-third of the entire cost of the same ; his usual subscription for sustain- ing preaching in the church was $100, or over. When Mr. Butterfield came to Wilton he was the possessor of about $1,500, most of which he had saved by teaching school, and when he com- menced teaching he had only a very scanty outfit of $3 in money ; he always lived a very unostentatious life, thor-
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