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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Frederick A. BUTLER 

Page 400, transcribed in full by Karen Crane Goggin 

[Surnames: BERRY, BUTLER, HAYSLIP, McCOY, VAN SPENCE, WHITE] 

    
FREDERICK A. BUTLER is a native-born citizen of this county and is now an important member of its farming community, owning and ably managing a finely improved farm within the corporate limits of Farmington. In this town of his birth he is a leader in social and political circles, and he has here a very handsome residence on East Fort Street. 
    
Mr. Butler is the youngest son of one of Farmington's oldest settlers. He was born on his father's homestead, January 9, 1850, and was reared and educated here, completing his education in the High School. He was bred to the life of a farmer, and having a natural taste for the calling he adopted it for his life work when he arrived at years of discretion. He owns a sixty-acre farm within the corporate limits of Farmington, which is under excellent tillage and is amply provided with neat and well-ordered buildings. Besides this farm he has an interest in two hundred and ten acres of land, in partnership with his brothers Charles C. and Cornelius B. His career as a farmer has shown him to be sharp, practical and a good manager. He conducts his work in a business-like manner, and so as to secure good returns, and the income that he derives from the cultivation of his land is very satisfactory. He is actively interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his native township, and no one is more zealous in promoting its interest than he. He is a keen politician, keeping himself well informed in regard to party movements. In his views he is a decided Republican, and in 1890 his political friends came within four votes of electing him Mayor of Farmington. 
    
Mr. Butler and Miss Lettie Butler were wedded in the month of December, 1875, and the marriage has proved one of mutual happiness. They have a fine family of five children living--Ford (or Rutherford), Ivah, Bertha, Myrtle and Earl. One died unnamed. 
    
Mrs. Butler is a daughter of Peter and Sarah Jane (White) Butler. Her father was born in Allegheny, Pa., and her mother was also a native of that State. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was married in his native State. In 1868 he came to Illinois and settled in Young Hickory Township. They are enjoying the declining years of well-spent lives in the peace and comforts of a cozy home. They are the parents of eight children--Rachael, Mary, Jane, Minerva, Charlotte, Lettie, Peter and Eva. Rachael became the wife of Mr. Van Spence, a farmer of Farmington; Mary is a dressmaker in Farmington'; Jane married B. Berry, of Canton; Minerva is the wife of John McCoy, of Independence, Pa.; Charlotte married I. N. Hayslip, a barber in Farmington; Peter, who is a farmer, resides near London Mills; Eva is the wife of jerry White, of London Mills. Mrs. Butler was born in Allegheny County, Pa., and came to Illinois in 1868 with her father. She is a woman of fine character and good Christian principles, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Butler is prominently connected with the Odd Fellows, and is serving at present as Noble Grand of Mememto Lodge, No. 44. He has served in all the chairs of the order.