Biography - John L. Butler

William G. Cutler, ed., History of the State of Kansas (Chicago: A. T. Andreas, 1883). Transcribed by Jann Frank and John Stewart for Kansas Collection Books. [Link]

See location of Lyon County on map.

Lyon County - Americus - Biographical Sketches.

JOHN L. BUTLER was born in Warren County, Ill., March 12, 1843. He received a common school education in Illinois, where he resided, with the exception of three years spent in Bowling Green, Ky., until he came to Kansas, in July, 1859, with his father, who located in located in Lyon County, and entered a claim of 160 acres on the Kaw reservation, on Allen Creek, three miles from Americus. John L. remained with his father until September, 1863, when he enlisted as a private in Company E, Eleventh Regiment Kansas Cavalry. He participated in all the engagements in which his command took part, from that time until he was mustered out in September, 1865. He then returned to Americus and engaged in stock raising and dealing, which business he continued until 1871, when he purchased a farm of 160 acres, situated on the Neosho River, six miles northwest of Americus. He then devoted his attention to farming beside stock raising and dealing. In 1878 he sold his farm and purchased another of 120 acres, on Cahola Creek, in Lyon County. In March, 1879, he discontinued farming and stock operations, and formed a partnership with Mr. W. H. Anderson, under the firm name of Anderson & Butler, who do a general real estate, insurance and loan business, at Americus. Mr. Butler was Township Trustee in 1878-79-80, and a Justice of the Peace in 1880-81-82. He was elected to the office of County Commissioner in the fall of 1882, for a term of three years. He is a member of Americus Lodge, No. 109, A., F. & A. M., and master of the Lodge; is a member of Americus Lodge, No. 28, A. O. U. W. He married Miss Mary E. Swim, of Americus, November 1, 1870, by which marriage he has four children - George S., Ethel, Mabel and John W.