Vermilion county Illinois, WALKER T. BUTLER ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Joy Fisher ==================================================================== p. 226-227 WALKER T. BUTLER is an enterprising wheelwright of Sidell. He located in this village in December, 1887, at which time he erected his shop on Chicago street. He has laid the foundation for a large business, which is constantly increasing, and in the spring of 1889 he enlarged his business in a substantial manner. Mr. Butler is one of the solid men of his adopted town, and one whose word is as good as a bank note. On February 23, 1840, Mr. Butler first saw the light of day in Edgar County, Ill., about a mile from Chrisman. His father, Asa Butler, was born near Lexington, Ky., while his mother, Catharine Porter, is a native of Madison County, that State. The Butlers were originally from Virginia, and came to Kentucky in an early day. The father was a blacksmith, the entire male portion of the family of Butlers being mechanics. One of the uncles was a cabinet maker at the age of ninety- two, and the subject of this sketch saw him at work making spinning wheels at that great age. In 1834 Asa Butler and his wife removed to Vermilion County, settling close to Indianola, erecting a shop there. He left this place and went to Chrisman, where he remained for a long time. This couple are the parents of nine children, whose names are given: Ephraim P., Elizabeth A., William F., Ellen F., Walker Turner, Sanie F., Lucinda C., Rosa A. and and an infant child, the two latter being deceased. The father died at Indianola in 1878 at the age of seventy-two years, while the mother is still living on the old Butler homestead. Ephraim resides in Richardson County, Neb.; Samuel is in the employ of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company at South Omaha, Neb., as a billing clerk; Eliza is living in Indianola with her mother; William F. was accidentally killed by a traveling man who mistook his head for a prairie chicken; the man afterward went insane; Ellen F. is the wife of James R. Adams, who is farming near Georgetown: Lucinda C. married Melvin L. Porter, who is engaged in the clothing business at Danville; Walker, of whom this sketch is written, was reared on a farm, working alternately at farming and in the blacksmithshop. His schooling was obtained in the subscription schools. His first attendance upon the public school was in Edgar County, Ill., where the schoolhouse was erected by subscription, and built of logs. He worked on the farm nine months, attending school the balance of the year. He continued in this way until he became eighteen years of age, when he went to work exclusively at his trade. On March 26, 1861, he was married to Miss Susan J. Porter, daughter of Richard Porter, and a half-sister of Mrs. Hewes. Her mother was Elizabeth Howard. The Porters originally came from Woodford County, Ky., emigrating to Illinois in 1834. At the time the War of the Rebellion broke out Mr. Butler was a half owner in a shop, and had just passed his honeymoon. There was every inducement for him to remain at home, and prosper in his business, but his duty lay in enlisting in the Union army, which he did in May, 1861, by joining Company D, 25th Illinois Infantry, being mustered into service on June 4, following, at Danville. His regiment drilled at Arsenal Park, St. Louis, for two months, and here he was elected Captain of his company. He was young and inexperienced, and being modest, he refused to serve, but afterwards accepted the position of Sergeant. On account of a severe wound in the right foot, he was honorably discharged, after which he came home, and devoted his entire attention to his trade. His army record was a brilliant one, and the men are very few who would refuse a commission as he did, which exhibits his entire unselfishness and patriotism. He remained in Indianola until 1879, when he removed to Ridge Farm, there engaging in business at his trade until 1887, when he came to his present location. Mr. Butler is one of the original members and organizers of the Baptist Church of Sidell, which came into existence May 2, 1889, and of which he was elected Deacon. He has belonged to this church since he was eighteen years of age, and for twenty-two years was Superintendent of a Sabbath-school. He is also Vice-President of the Sunday-school Association of Carroll Township. Mr. Butler belongs to Vermilion Lodge, No. 265, A. F. & A. M., and was its Master for three terms, and also its delegate to the Grand Lodge at Chicago in the years 1873, 1874 and 1875. He is also a charter member of the C. A. Clark Post, No. 184, G. A. R., located at Ridge Farm. The office of School Director has been filled by him for fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have had five children: Melvine S., Gracie E., Adoniram J., Leslie F., Bessie and Willie. Melvine S. was educated at the Jacksonville Blind Institute, He died, and his parents deeply felt his loss. Gracie E. is the wife of John Fletcher, a farmer of Edgar County, Ill.; they have three children: Henry T., Howard and Charles. Adoniram J. and the rest of the children are living at home. Mr. Butler is a stanch Republican, and for several years has served his party on the County Central Committee. He has always been in favor of temperance laws, and their strict enforcement, and it was largely through his instrumentality that the sale of whisky was finally abolished in Carroll Township. Mr. Butler is one of the very best men of Vermilion County, and is so regarded by his neighbors.