My Genealogy Hound

RICHARD BUTLER, senior member of the well-known and influential firm of Butler & Burrus, manufacturers of hard and soft wood lumber, lath and pickets, is universally conceded to be one of the most successful business men of Galien, and, indeed, throughout Berrien County. He is of direct English descent, his father, Richard, having been born in England, whence he emigrated to America in 1827, and made settlement in Lockport, N. Y. An industrious man, possessing great energy and force of character, he was well and favorably known throughout that section of the State, where he remained until his death, devoting his attention to his trade of carpenter.

Born in Lockport, N. Y., July 13, 1847, our subject was a mere lad when he was orphaned by the death of his mother, an estimable woman. The family consisted of seven children, but of these two alone survive, Richard and Nettie, the latter being the wife of C. E. Smith, foreman of the Union Steamboat Company of Chicago. The only surviving son was reared in Lockport, where he learned the trade of a turner, after having received the advantages of a common-school education. In 1867 he removed to Michigan, where he located at New Buffalo, and secured employment as a turner in a furniture factory. One year later he came to Galien, and for the ten ensuing years was employed at the turner’s trade, after which he engaged in the machine repairing business for eight years. He also filled the position of assistant foreman in the R. W. Montross factory for two years.

On the 26th of September, 1890, the present firm of Butler & Burrus was established, and the connection then formed still continues, the business having been conducted in such a manner as to secure the approbation of the people and the confidence of the trade. The sawmill has a capacity of about ten thousand feet of lumber per day and shipments are made to South Bend, Ind., and Benton Harbor, Mich. The firm also engages in the manufacture of lath and pickets, for which they find a ready sale. They have built up a large trade in Galien and the surrounding country, and are well known as business men of keen sagacity and excellent judgment.

The marriage of Mr. Butler occurred at Galien May 13, 1874, and united him with Miss Sarah, daughter of Luther Green, a prominent farmer of Galien Township. They are the parents of one child, Orville, a promising youth, who is now a student in the Galien High School. The family residence is the abode of hospitality, where the friends of the family are accustomed to meet and pass many a pleasant hour. In addition to this residence, Mr. Butler is the owner of three fine building lots and other valuable property. Firm in his allegiance to the Republican party, Mr. Butler has been elected on that ticket to numerous local offices of trust. For three years he was a member of the Village Board, for one year he served as Assessor, and he has also been School Trustee, filling these several positions with credit to himself and to the general satisfaction of his fellow-citizens.