Source:
Evansville and its Men of Mark
Edward White, Editor. Evansville, Ind.
Historical Publishing Company, 1873.
Pages 100-101

      Mayor Butterfield is of the New England stock and many of the peculiar characteristics of the Pilgrims are strongly marked in him. He was born in Farmington, Maine, on the 17th of May, 1834. Until his seventeenth year, he remained at home, working on the old homestead; assisting his father in the store, and attending school during the Winter sessions. In 1851 he entered Farmington Academy, finished the preparatory course for college in 1855. In the Fall of that year he commenced his career as an undergraduate at Bowdoin, and matriculated in 1859. His favorite studies were Latin and the Natural Sciences; an in these he particularly distinguished himself.

      In August, 1859, he came to Evansville and became the Principal of the High School. His career as a teacher was characterized by wisdom and an active interest in everything that aided in the progress of the educational interests of the city.

     In the Spring of 1862 he assisted in recruiting the Sixty-fifth Regiment, expecting to go with it to the front; but, from causes beyond his control, was prevented. However he raised the Ninety-first, was appointed its Major, and was afterwards promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy. No efforts were spared by Colonel Butterfield to improve the regiment in drill and discipline; and the history of the Ninety-first gives a vivid description of their valor on many a field of battle. After chasing the guerrillas in the vicinity of Henderson for several months, they were engaged in the expedition after Morgan, in the Spring of 1863. The regiment was actively engaged in the Fall and Winter of 1863-4 in all the battles of the East Tennessee campaign. In the Spring of 1864 the Ninety-first formed a part of the Twenty-third army corps, of General Sherman's army, and made the noted march from Chattanooga to Atlanta. They were next ordered to Nashville and, as a portion of Thomas' army, took part in the fights that led to the overthrow of Hood's army. We soon find the Ninety-first at Washington, en route for North Carolina, and landing at Fort Fisher in time to join Sherman at Goldsboro, The fights with Johnson were among the most bloody of any in the war and the Ninety-first, till the final surrender of Johnson's army, maintained the honor of their State and aided materially in crushing this, the last hope of the Confederacy. Colonel Butterfield was in command of Salisbury the first day after the entry of the Federal army.

      The conflict being over, he returned to Evansville in July, 1865, and was soon appointed Superintendent of Schools, which position he retained one year. Immediately upon arriving in the city he had commenced the study of law; and while acting as Superintendent he also read law, as time would permit, in Hon. Conrad Baker's office. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1865, and was, after the expiration of his official career, engaged in the active duties of the legal profession.

      In 1869 he was elected Judge of the Criminal Circuit Court and resigned in 1871 to accept the Mayoralty, to which he was elected after the death of Hon. William Baker. As Mayor of the city, Colonel Butterfield has followed in the steps of his predecessor; and the condition of the city's affairs today is a token of his efficient management. Mayor Butterfield is always at his post of duty; and the city has few officials from whom more substantial benefits have accrued.