Edwin Butler

    Edwin Butler, one of the well known and respected men of Blackford County, who is now deceased, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, October 15, 1820. He was a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Wenton) Butler, his father born in Ontario County, New York, and his mother a native of Southborough, Massachusetts. When he was a child of three years his parents removed to St. Joseph County, Michigan, and there he was reared to farm life, receiving his education in the district schools and at Kalamazoo College. In 1852 he went by the overland route to California, and for seventeen years remained on the Pacific slope in California and Oregon, engaged in mining and milling.

    In 1868 he returned to Michigan, and June 22, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Eliza Grabber, a native of Bellview, Calhoun County, Michigan, and a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Rohr) Grabber, who were natives of Hanover, Germany and Switzerland, respectively. To this union five children were born, of whom four are yet living -La Fayette E., George Marion, Joseph Roy and Tula May. Libbie May is deceased.

    Mr. Butler continued to reside in Michigan until 1873, when he came with his family to Blackford County, Indiana, and here he bought 140 acres of woodland, on which no improvements had been made; but he set to work with a will to hew out a home for his family, and at the time of his death, which occurred January 6, 1887, he had a fine farm, well improved. In 1883 he erected their handsome two story residence, and in 1886 their large and commodious barn was built.

    He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and an upright and honorable citizen, respected by all. He took an active interest in educational affairs, and donated the site for the school of district No. 12. In his political views he affiliated with the Republican party.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1887, page 833.