BIOGRAPHIES:  Stark BUTMAN, Gale Township, Trempealeau Co., WI

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Submitted by Nance Sampson, Trempealeau Co. WIGenWeb CC on 22 June
2004
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subject of this biography and has no further information.

Stark Butman, one of the oldest living citizens of Trempealeau
County, having resided continuously for 60 years in Gale Township,
was born in Huron County (now Erie County), Ohio, March 28, 1832.  He
was educated and grew to manhood in his native State.  In 1852 he
came West to La Crosse County, Wis., where he located 160 acres of
land, returning to Ohio that same year.  In 1853 he and his brother
Hiram came to La Crosse County and settled on this land, which was
situated near Stevenstown.  In 1857 he exchanged 80 acres of his land
for 40 acres of land on this side of Black River, in Gale Township,
Trempealeau County, and there he laid the foundations for his future
prosperity, building a house, with the proper accompaniment of
outbuildings, and breaking and developing his land.  Later he
acquired other land by purchase and by homesteading until he owned at
one time several hundred acres, becoming one of the leading and
representative men of Trempealeau County.  He has followed
diversified farming all his life, and has given away and sold land to
his children, at the present time having only 160 acres in his own
name.  For about 28 years Mr. Butman served as postmaster at Decorah
Prairie, the office being in his own home, and for his services he
received the large recompense of 1 per cent of the cancellations.  He
has also rendered efficient service in various town offices.  In 1855
Mr. Butman was married at La Crosse, Wis., to Mary Jane Lynn, who was
born in New York State, July 22, 1836.  After 56 years of wedded
life, she passed away, March 19, 1911, sincerely mourned.  Mr. and
Mrs. Butman were the parents of 10 children, whose record in brief is
as follows:  Eugene S., born Oct. 4, 1856, was married Jan. 22, 1882,
to Lizzie Stellpflug, and they reside at Pipestone, Minn.  Emma J.,
born Nov. 3, 1858, was married, July, 1885, to David Lonie, and they
now reside at Pullman, Wash.  Eva I., born Aug. 11, 1861, was married
Feb. 17, 1884, to Ally Bartlett, and they reside at Alexandria, Minn.
Erie H., born May 28, 1863, married, May 15, 1904, Charles E. Potter.
Nancy M., born May 8, 1865, was married oct. 20, 1883, to Clinton V.
Lovell.  Nettie L., born March 17, 1867, on May 4, 1888, became the
wife of W. E. McKown.  She died May 25, 1897.  Ernest H., born Aug.
31, 1873, was married March 15, 1899, to Lizzie M. Burt, and they
reside in Gale Township.  An infant daughter, born May 9, 1876, died
May 14, 1876.  Frank M., born Feb. 25, 1880, was married Nov. 12,
1906, to Janet M. Smith.  They reside in Gale Township.  Since her
mother's death Mary Edna McKown has always lived with her
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Butman, and since her grandmother's death
in 1911 has been the sole housekeeper for her grandfather.  Mr.
Butman, although over 85 years old, is still hale and hearty and in
full possession of all his faculties, enjoying an opportunity to
relate the many hardships and trials incident to pioneer life, and
above all, proud to boast that he has 27 grandchildren and 25 great-
grandchildren. 

-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin,
1917," 
pages 524-525. 

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