Biography - George W. Butt
GEORGE W. BUTT. Among the principal farmers, whose names are enrolled on
the records of Knox County as worth of mention for success and enterprise,
is found the subject, who for zeal and thrift has no superior in this
section of the country. His home is situated on section 29, and is a
desirable and attractive farm, the soil being under high cultivation and
including 355 aces of land, 150 of which is tillable. Mr. Butt came with his
parents to this part of the State in infancy, being but 13 months old, from
Champaign County, Ohio, where he was born, Feb. 16, 1836. His parents,
Thomas E. and Sarah E. (Williams) Butt, were natives of Virginia and settled
in Persifer Township, where they both died.
They had 13 children, of whom William was the 12th in order of birth. He was
given some educational advantages, receiving a common-school education, and
has been engaged in agricultural pursuits for some length of time. He was
married in Persifer Township, Sept. 11, 1853, to Dorcas Dawson, daughter of
James and Margaret (Claypool) Dawson, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Butt was born in
what is now known as Vinton County, Ohio, July 8, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Butt
have seven living children, as follows: Martha J., James A., Thomas J.,
Harriet Anna, Charles I., Sarah E., and George W., Jr. The have buried one
child, John W. by name. Martha is the wife of L. N. Hiler, and resides in
Knoxville; she has one child, by name George E.; James A. is in Washington
Territory; Thomas is married to Sarah H. Jackson and his home is in Persifer
Township; they have three children - Lawrence, Benjamin L. and Laurel;
Harriet Anna is the wife of James H. Perkins, and her home is in Persifer
Township; she is the mother of two children - Katie M. and Charley R. The
remaining children are all under the parental roof.
Mr. Butt has been Road Commissioner, Township Clerk and School Director
respectively, which offices he has held with honor and credit to himself and
his electors. He was given the position of Justice of the Peace, but did not
qualify for it. He has served his country faithfully and well, fighting
under the stars and stripes to protect her, and to win that noble
independence and liberty which are birthrights of every American and which
they will suffer nothing to wrest from them. He enlisted Dec. 21, 1861, in
Co. B. 1st Ill. Cav., and served seven months, when he was honorably
discharged, and re-enlisted in Co A, 10th Missouri Cav. In that regiment he
served for three years, and when at last discharged he returned to his home
in Persifer Township. He is at the present time a member of the James T.
Shields Post, No. 45, G.A.R."
Contributed by Todd Walter, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 300.
