An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893 EDGAR R. BUTTERWORTH, manager of the Cross Undertaking Company, of Seattle, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, March 3, 1847. His parents, William R. and Eliza (Norwood) Butterworth, were natives of the same State, descended from ancestry of Puritan stock and Revolutionary fame. William R. Butterworth was by trade a cotton manufacturer and for many years acted as superintendent of mills at Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts. In 1857 he removed to Wright county, Minnesota, to engage in agricultural pursuits, and there improved a farm and remained five years; but the Sioux Indians were so hostile, and the dangers of the country so great, that after the Indian massacre of 1861-ë62 Mr. Butterworth decided to remove to a more civilized country, and returned to Massachusetts, and resumed his earlier occupation. Edgar B. attended the schools of New England until he attained the age of seventeen. He then learned the trade of hatter, which he followed in different cities of New England for about five years. In 1869, he located in Boston and began reading law with his brother, and was admitted to practice in 1872. Shortly after he removed to Woodson county, Kansas, and in partnership with B.M. Ingraham, engaged actively in the practice of his profession. In 1877 the firm went to southwestern Kansas, on the border of Indian Territory, to participate in the organization of a new county, but as public sentiment was opposed to the movement they gave up the enterprise and engaged in the stock business, continuing until 1882. Mr. Butterworth then closed out his interests and came to Lewis county, Washington Territory, and located at Centralia, then known as Skookumchuck, and having a population of about 250. Business was dull, so Mr. Butterworth engaged in carpenter work, of which he had some knowledge, and thus helped to build up the town. One year later he opened a furniture store and undertaking establishment, which he operated up to 1890; then, after a trip through the East, he returned to Centralia, but continued only the undertaking business, in November, 1892, Mr. Butterworth came to Seattle to accept the position of manager of the Cross Undertaking Company, with parlors located at 1,427, Second street, the Centralia business being continued by his son, Gilbert M., who is also associated with his father in Seattle. Mr. Butterworth was married in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1870, to Miss Grace M. Whipple, a native of that State. She died in 1872, leaving one son, Gilbert M. Mr. Butterworth was again married, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1873, when he was united to Miss Maria L. Gillespie. They have four children: Charles N., Frederic R., Harry E. and Benjamin. Mr. Butterworth has valuable property interests in and about Centralia, with fine residence, fruit orchards and improved lands. As member of the council and eight years Notary Public, he took an active interest in the city organization and government. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and A.O.U.W., and for twenty-five years has been a consistent member of the order of Good Templars. He has been for many years a Deacon in the Baptist Church, and carries his Christian and fraternal life into his profession of undertaking. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.