My Genealogy Hound

J. Van Butler, editor and proprietor of The Locomotive at Siloam Springs, is a native of Gordon County, Ga., born January 22, 1866, son of James F. and Mary. F. S. (Watts) Butler, and grandson of Absolom Butler, who was born in South Carolina, was of English parentage, and was a relative of Gov. P. Butler, of the last named State. James F. Butler was born in Pendleton District, S. C., November, 1821, but grew to manhood in Gordon County, Ga., where he married and where he lived until 1868, when he engaged in merchandising at Fairmount, Ga., and followed this occupation at that place for ten years. At the last mentioned date he moved to Benton County and located where he now lives, six miles east of Siloam Springs, where he is exclusively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of 160 acres of land, ninety under cultivation. His wife, Mrs. Mary F. S. (Watts) Butler, was born in Rabun County, Ga., March 20, 1826, was reared there, and is still living. Their son, J. Van Butler, has acquired his education, outside of six months’ schooling, by private personal study. He remained at home until twenty years of age (1886), and then entered the Corner Stone office, where he remained but a short time. Then he and a brother purchased a printing office at Springdale, and he did the mechanical work of that paper, The Locomotive, which was issued from December 25, 1886, and was continued until May, 1887. They then sold out and removed to Siloam Springs, where they established this paper August 26, 1887, which is independent in politics. Mr. Butler is a member of the Protective League, and is financial secretary of the lodge at this place.