By Oscar D. Purinton, Clerk and Historian of the Old Settlers' Association.
Edward Clarence Butler, son of Henry and Alice P. Butler, was born at Bartlett New Hampshire on Oct. 4th 1845. Though quite young at the time of the Civil war he was thoroughly patriotic and served some time as a private soldier in Co. G 23rd Regiment Maine infantry volunteers. After the war he followed the advice of Horace Greely and went west to grow up with the country, but went too far and settled for a time in the mining regions of Nevada.
He came from Austin, Nevada to Steele County on May 20, 1882 and settled on the SE ΒΌ of 32-146-57 where he has resided continuously to the present time (Jan.1915). In the early years of the settlement of this community he endured his full share of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, and in some ways even more than his share.
In 1882 the town of Mardell was located about six miles from the present site of Cooperstown, and near fifty miles from Tower City in Cass County. The government established a mail route from Tower City to Mardell by way of Hope. But when the post offices and the route were established the question arose as to the carrying of the mail over this long and perilous route. Very few could be found hardy enough to venture upon the task of traversing this distance over unsettled prairies , almost trackless in summer and wholly so in winter. This tiring and hazardous task Mr. Butler undertook, and through raging blizzards and intense cold, he or his partner Mr. Ben Upton faithfully performed that desperate task until conditions were so improved that others could be found to take their places.
In developing his homestead Mr. Butler met about the same successes and reverses, as experienced by all early settlers, sometimes reaping abundant harvests, at others, meagre or even none, but generally successful. By sturdy industry and intelligent management he has added to his holdings of land until he has twelve hundred acres, farming about half and renting the balance.
For several years Mr. Butler has engaged in the breeding of pure bred stock, and while he has done well for himself he has greatly benefited the community by his persistent endeavor to improve the quantity and quality of stock grown.
On Jan. 28th 1895 Mr. Butler was united in marriage to Mary T. Hagen, and they with their son Clarence are now living on the Homestead. A son by a former marriage, William H. Butler is living in Cooperstown N.Dak.