Return to : Gillespie, IL.
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G i l l e s p i e Gillespie, Illinois - Macoupin County Illinois, - State of Illinois - United States Of America |
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Gillespie, Illinois
History & Genealogy
Biography
BUTTERS
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1891 ALEXANDER BUTTERS, of the firm of Steidley & Butters, dealers in general hardware, of Gillespie, is of English birth and comes of a family who for generations have resided in that country. He crossed the waters and established a home in the United States. He was born in County Durham, in 1826, and there grow to manhood. For a time he worked in the mines of that country, but in 1852, having determined to seek his fortune in America, he embarked from Liverpool, and on the 16th of September, landed in New York City, whence he made his way to Elizabelhtown, Pa. In the mines of that section he was employed until 1856. For fourteen years he was a resident of Carlinville, Ill., and helped to sink the first mines at that place in 1868. On coming to Gillespie he helped to sink the coal shafts at this place and was boss of the mine for some time. He was concerned directly in the sinking of the Dorsey shaft, and is one of the prominent miners of the State. It has been his business during the greater part of his life, and he received many communications from different State and Government geologists and professors of that science for his knowledge of geology, especially of the coal period, far surpasses that of many who have made of geology a special study. He gathered one of the finest collections of fossil fish in the United States and has recently sold the same to the State of Illinois for $1,000. It is now exhibited in the museum at Springfield. Mr. Butters has also acquainted himself with the mines in the Southern part of Illinois. This State furnishes a splendid field for research, and perhaps no one is better informed concerning the mining interests than he. Two years were also spent by him in the mines of Missouri. While residing in Pennsylvania, Mr. Butters was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Craig, who was born and reared in Cumberland County, England. She crossed the broad Atlantic in 1853, and immediately afterward was married, having plighted her troth to Mr. Butters ere he left his native land. She was born at Garigal Gate, England, on the 13th of September, 1825, and was a lady of many excellencies of character. She was called to her final rest on the 6th of February, 1891, while residing in Gillespie, being then sixty-five years of age. Many friends shared with her husband in his great loss. Four children were born unto them -- Mary A., Sarah A., John A., and Sarah A., but all died before the mother. Mr. Butters is one of the leading citizens of Gillespie, prominent in all public affairs and found in the front rank of every enterprise calculated to benefit the community. He is a sound Republican in political sentiment, and is a member of the Board of Labor Statistics of Illinois. He has been engaged in his present business since April. 1890, when he bought out the interest of William Dickey, one of the original owners of the store, and became a member of the firm of Steidley & Butters, dealers in general hardware. They have a full and complete stock and are doing a good business, such as is deserved by gentlemen of their worth and standing.
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Source : Portrait and Biographical Record of Macoupin County, Illinois containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State and of the Presidents of the United States. Chicago; Biographical Publishing Company, 1891 |
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