. AUGUSTUS S. BUTLER, Allegan Village, Allegan Co., Michigan

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History of Allegan and Barry Counties, Michigan, with Illustrations and 
Biographical Sketches of their Prominent Men and Pioneers.
Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co.  1880.  Press of J. B. Lippincott & 
Co., Philadelphia.

Augustus S. Butler was born in Gaines, Orleans Co., N. Y., in 1834.  In 
1840 his parents emigrated to Michigan, and settled in Adrian, where 
they remained until 1847, when they removed to Lansing.  At the age of 
thirteen young Butler became a clerk in a store, and walked twenty-six 
miles to hold the position.  Ever prompt, ready, and accurate, he gave 
unbounded acceptance in this position, and in 1854, was given a 
clerkship in the office of the Secretary of State, discharging his 
duties to the entire satisfaction of all.  For several years he 
compiled the Legislative Manual.  In 1856 he assisted in the 
compilation of the land abstracts of Ingham County.  He removed to 
Allegan in 1857, and compiled for the Hon. John R. Kellogg the abstract 
of land-titles for Allegan County, a work in which he was engaged for 
three years.  From his boyhood he took a deep interest in public 
affairs.  Frank in the expression of his sentiments, he always made his 
views manifest on all the great questions of the day.  In 1860 he was 
deputy United States marshal, and assisted in the collection of the 
Census for Allegan County.  In 1861 he formed a copartnership with 
Wolcott H. Littlejohn, in the book and stationery business, opening the 
first store of that kind in the county.  In December, 1862, Mr. Butler 
opened the first banking establishment in the county in the Ebmyer 
building, occupying a small space in the store of A. B. Case & Co., at 
a rental of twenty-five dollars per year, and with with a capital of 
two hundred and fifty dollars.  He rapidly acquired the confidence and 
patronage of the business men, and the enterprise proved to be highly 
remunerative.  In 1868 he formed a copartnership with H. B. Peck, which 
continued for five years.  Mr. Butler took great interest in political 
matters, and filled several positions of trust; he served on many 
important committees, and took a prominent part in the conventions of 
his party.  He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention of 
1872, where he took a prominent part in the nomination of Horace 
Greeley.  He was the founder of the Allegan Literary and Library 
Association, and was elected its first president.  He was a prominent 
member of the Masonic fraternity, and at the time of his death was 
Worshipful Master of the Allegan Lodge and member of of the Knights 
Templar Commandery at Kalamazoo.  In 1861, Mr. Butler was married to 
Miss Cornelia, daughter of of the Hon. Flavius J. Littlejohn, of 
Allegan, who still survives him.  From all that can be learned of his 
associates, he was a man far up the scale in all that pertains to true 
manhood.  He was energetic and prompt in business, and in all respects 
a worthy citizen and a useful member of society.  He met his death Aug. 
11, 1873 by the overturning of a stage while on a pleasure excursion in 
New Hampshire.