HE HON. DAVID BUTLER, the first Governor of the State of Nebraska, is to-day one of the well-known and active business men of the State. Ohio has furnished the country with some of its best leaders in military and diplomatic circles and all innumerable number of its most valued private citizens. It was the pleastire of the people of this State to honor with their confidence one of Ohio's sons in the above named gentleman, who was the first called by the citizens of the newly formed State to the Governor's chair. Elected with enthusiasm in 1866, re-elected with eclat at the next election in 1868, and at the end of that term once more returned to office by an intelligent and satisfied people.
   The town of Lenton, Greene Co., Ohio, claims the honor of the birthplace of Gov. Butler, the date of his nativity being the 15th of December, 1829. He was the eldest of a family of ten children born to his parents, of whom only six now survive. He is the son of George Washington and Nancy (Christy) Butler.
   The family of which Mr. Butler is a representative and member is not unknown to the annals of other States in political positions of honor, and the name is one that has been worn by his ancestors, and by their successful lives and patriotism they made it a name respected and honored. Thomas Butler, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Virginia, and after serving his fellow-citizens in various capacities, was called upon to act as a member of the Constitutional Convention of that State in 1805. Becoming a pioneer of Ohio long before it was a State, he was soon ranked among the prominent citizens of the district in which he lived, and was not infrequently called upon whenever matters of importance had to be considered or decided. The maiden name of his wife, a noble woman, who shared her husband's life most completely, being at once his closest confidant and counselor, was Mary Robinson. She became the mother of a large family, her son, George Washington, the father of our subject, being the eldest of the family.
   The father of our subject was born in 1809, in Ohio, was reared upon the pioneer farm of his father, and grew up amid surroundings that would to-day be anything but congenial by reason of the primitive condition. He became an enterprising and prosperous farmer, and also dealt very extensively in cattle. He became the husband of Nancy Christy, the daughter of Joseph Christy, Esq. Like her father, she was born in North Carolina. the year of her nativity being 1811. She became the mother of our subject, and her life, character and influence were such as to leave a bright and happy memory that will remain so long as the powers of recollection exist.
   The early life and boyhood of our subject were spent amid agricultural surroundings, and such education as he obtained was received first in a private school, where he was prepared for the public institution, in both of which he made rapid progress, and drank as deeply as was permitted at the fountain of knowledge. He remained upon the

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farm until he was twenty-one years of age, but long before attaining his majority was a thorough, practical farmer, and understood all that was necessary in regard to the management of stock. In his youth he had given promise of powers and intelligence, and though they lay dormant for many years, were bound to make themselves known and felt, as had been the case of the Virginian pioneer in Ohio, to whom reference was made above.
   Upon reaching man's estate Mr. Butler launched into the serious business of life upon his own account by taking as his chosen occupation that with which he was best acquainted and in which he felt most assured of success, viz., agriculture and the breeding of and traffic in stock. The latter department of his business frequently called him away from home, and he has traveled far and wide throughout the Great West while thus engaged. His previous experience, natural ability, inherent enterprise and American push made him even more prosperous in his dealings and various undertakings than his most sanguine hopes had conceived, but he did not halt with the first flush of his success, but continued to go on to even greater.
   In 1852 Mr. Butler embarked in mercantile pursuits but did not sever his connection from what had become a very extensive trade in cattle and hogs. Both branches were carried on with a growing, financial success until the crash of 1857, when, owing to the failure of the National Bank at Gosport, Ind., he lost a very Iarge sum, and was further crippled financially by the failure of a large number of his creditors to meet their obligations; but he was determined no one should be the loser upon his account. He settled up business satisfactorily, paid dollar for dollar of everything held against him and interest where it was due.
   In the fall of 1859 Mr. Butler removed to Pawnee City, Neb., and there associated himself with the Hon. W. B. Raper, and with that gentleman embarked again in business; but even here he retained his interest in the cattle trade, and was very shortly gratified to see his earnest efforts rewarded and to be able to fill a larger place than had been possible before his trials in 1857. This partnership lasted until 1861, when Mr. Butler was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature, and was after that nominated for Senator by the Republicans; but there being three candidates already in the field our subject withdrew in favor of Mr. Mack.
   In 1863 Mr. Butler was elected State Senator for a term of two years, representing the First District, which comprised the counties of Richardson, Pawnee, Johnson, Gage, Clay, Jefferson and all the unorganized territory lying to the westward. Both in the House and Senate Mr. Butler made his mark, and did good service for his constituents and the State, and it was as a result of the ability then manifested and recognized, the personal worth and high character sustained by him, that he was nominated and by a large majority vote passed by the hand of the people to the highest chair of office within the gift of the people.
   Among the services rendered the State by Mr. Butler while in the Legislature may be mentioned the introduction of a bill for the reapportioning of Nebraska, the passage of which he worked very hard to procure, but in Legislative halls as in every other the green eyed monster of jealousy is bound to find admittance. It was so in this case, and to this was due the failure of our subject in spite of his hard work; but upon renewing the fight in the Senate he was successful and the bill went through intact.
   Upon retiring from public life Mr. Butler returned to his mercantile pursuits with renewed ardor and prosperity, and he has continued to live in Pawnee City or its immediate vicinity since.
   Gov. Butler was, in January, 1860, united in marriage to Miss Lydia Storey, of Bloomington, Ind., and who is the daughter of Harrison Storey, Esq. Of this happy union there have been born four children, to whom were given the names: Violet E., Seth D., Durias and Paul.
   Gov. Butler is a genial, affable gentleman of large intelligence, high character and undoubted popularity. Upon the 4th of September, 1888, he was nominated for Governor on the Union Labor ticket, and is now stumping the State in behalf of that movement. In the special order of Odd Fellowship Gov. Butler is prominent and also very highly esteemed. He is affiliated with Interior Lodge No. 9, at Pawnee City.