Early Days of Greenbush

EARLY DAYS IN GREENBUSH

Col. John Butler

Col. John Butler was born in Greenbriar county, Virginia, July 26, 1802. He moved with his parents to Gallia county, Ohio, where on April 25, 1822, he was married to Mary Adney. She was born December 15, 1805, and was a daughter of John Adney, a native of Virginia. Col. John Butler removed with his family to Greenbush, Warren county, Illinois, arriving October 18, 1839. Here he rented a schoolhouse and moved into it. This house stood a little southwest of the village and near the graveyard. In the spring of 1840, he removed to a house belonging to Thomas Rogers in the northwest part of the village, then called Greenfield. He afterwards bought 80 acres of land east of the village on section four. Here he resided and was engaged in farming and raising stock up to 1870, when he removed to Avon, Illinois. He was elected colonel in the 84th Illinois militia, July 26, 1844.

To Col. John Butler and wife were born the following-named children:

Mary, born May 1, 1823; died in infancy.

Clara Marinda, born April 29, 1824; died in infancy.

Vincent Washington, born September 20, 1825; married Rachael Swain, November 22, 1849. She died June 18, 1860. His second marriage was to Harriet Williams. She died February 7, 1905. Vincent was assessor in Greenbush township for many years; was also commissioner of highways and justice of the peace, and a very prominent member of the Christian church. He died April 7, 1900.

John Adney, born January 6, 1827; married Maria Jane Snapp, November 22, 1849. She was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, October 9, 1833, and was a daughter of Franklin and Adeline (Morse) Snapp.

Rhoda, born January 6, 1830; married Ebenezer Wilford Woods, January 6, 1853.

Tacy, born February 12, 1832; married Moses Burges Threlkeld. He died June 17, 1872. She was afterwards married to Andrew Goforth, who died in Iowa. Tacy died near Chariton, Iowa, in August, 1904.

William, born January 21, 1844; died in 1847.

Thomas A., born November 9, 1846; married Julia Harman. He died in Oklahoma, March 4, 1899.

Mary Helen, born August 9, 1850; married William Steele. She died May 23, 1898.

Col. John Butler was run over by a team and wagon and so badly injured that he died about three days afterwards, the date of his death being May 18, 1881. His wife Mary died November 12, 1875.