Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 669.

JOHN B. BUTLER

     is a wealthy stockman of Wheeler county. With his brother he owns a large
tract of good land some three miles south from Richmond. They do some farming,
but devote their attention almost exclusively to stock raising. They are very
prosperous and are leading and representative men.
     John B. Butler was born in Johnson county, Tennessee, on August 16, 1854.
His father, Hon. Roderick R. Butler, was one of the best representatives of a
successful American statesmen one finds in many years. He was born in Virginia
and left an orphan when very young. Through, his own struggles he gained a fair
education, then learned the tailor's trade and while still young came on west to
Tennessee. While working at his tailoring he studied law, burning much midnight
oil, and in due time was admitted to the bar. He began the practice of his
profession in Taylorsville, now Mountain City, and soon thereafter was elected
to the state legislature. Several times thereafter he was chosen by his
constituents for the same office and then was sent to the United States
congress. He was a famous figure in the house and a man of well-known ability
and integrity. His death occurred when he was serving a term in the state
legislature, thus being in the harness up to the last moment. He was a prominent
man, wealthy and highly respected.                      
     He had married Miss Emmeline J. Donnelly, who was born in Johnson county,
Tennessee, and came from a very prominent and wealthy family. Our subject was
educated in Mountain City, Tennessee, early in life, then completed his training
in Emory and Henry college, Virginia. He spent his life in the east until 1884,
then journeyed west in company with his brother, G. 0. Butler. After due search
and investigation they came into this portion of Oregon and finally took
government land where they reside at the present time. After this they bought
various pieces and now, as stated above, own a large estate.
     At Waldron, in this county, on December 23, 1886, Mr. Butler married Miss
Effie M. Brown who was born in eastern Oregon. Her parents, Jonathan Perry and
Sarah A. Brown, arrived at The Dalles on August 15, 1854, and settled near where
Dufur now stands, their place being on Fifteenmile creek. That was the home
until 1868, when they removed to a place below The Dalles where they remained
three years. The next journey was to the Bakeoven country where they resided
eighteen months. Mr. Brown died in 1890. His widow, now seventy-one years of
age, is as vigorous and hearty as a woman of forty, and a highly respected
citizen of Mitchell.
     To Mr. and Mrs. Butler four children have been born, Herbert H., deceased,
Pansy B., Bessie V. and Random M.
     Mr. Butler is a member of the A. 0. U. W., and he and his wife are very
highly respected people.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.