Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Butler, Charles 1789 - 1880
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com September 22, 2007, 1:20 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

CHARLES BUTLER The last hymn has been sung, the last sad words said over the
earthly portion of him whose name appears above, but the spirit from which
emanated so much that is enduring is still abroad, breathing its lessons of
honor, uprightness and purity of life not only to those who knew him, but
through them to coming generations. The sketch below is a memorial as lasting as
the granite shaft, because it rears itself in that most enduring part of
humanity—the mind. It is reared by those who love him best, Mr. Butler was a
native of Connecticut, there being born November 10, 1789. He was a son of Joel
and Mary (Payne) Butler. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He
was taken a prisoner and confined on a British prison ship, where he had
smallpox and endured untold hardships. Our subject himself served as a soldier
in the War of 1812.

  When a boy Mr. Butler removed with his parents to Madison County, N. Y. and
there lived until his majority. He then removed to Genesee County, of the same
State and was the captain of the first canalboat which ran the entire length of
the Erie Canal from Buffalo to New York City. It had on board among its
passengers Gov. DeWitt Clinton and other dignitaries and on the last visit of
Gen. Lafayette to this country our subject took him and his son for a short
distance on the canal. He received his education in the pioneer schools of his
day. He was, however, a well-posted man, having lived through some of the most
important history of this epoch.

  The original of our sketch was married in Ohio, June 21, 1827, his bride being
Miss Philena Copley, a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and born December 17,
1806. She was a daughter of Lemon and Sally (Cooley) Copley, the former a native
of Connecticut and the latter of Massachusetts. When nine years of age she
settled in Ohio with her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Butler were born seven
children, four of whom are living. They are Charles A., Sarah A., wife of D. D,
Howell, George, and E. Louisa.

  In 1830 Mr. Butler with his family emigrated to Michigan and settled in
Genesee County, procuring a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 35.
He purchased the land from the Government at $1.25 per acre. Their first home
here was a small log house and they lived in that for many years. They were not
exempt from the usual hardships incident to pioneer life. The Indians were
frequent visitors, and the gun stood in a convenient corner to ward off
encroachments of wolves or other wild animals. Their nearest neighbor for a time
lived sixteen miles south of them. Our subject remained here until his death,
which took place April 30, 1880. He was highly respected by all who knew him and
was regarded as among the best citizens of the locality.

  At an early day our subject had to carry his wheat to Pontiac to grist, making
the journey with oxen and finding a market for the surplus product in Detroit,
he was a Republican in politics, although he was formerly a Whig. In local
offices he served as Justice of the Peace. In his religious belief he was a
Presbyterian. His widow still survives and lives on the home farm. She takes
great comfort in the consolations offered her by religion, being a member of the
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Butler left at his death one hundred and seventy acres
of land as the product of a life of industry and perseverance. Our subject had
besides himself living in this vicinity, two brothers—John and Moses P. For
years they lived near each other and their neighborhood was known as Butlers'
Corners.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892



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