My Genealogy Hound

James Marion Butler. Ever since his location in this county in 1870, Mr. Butler has enjoyed the reputation of being not only a substantial and progressive farmer, but an intelligent and thoroughly posted man in all public affairs; and a short sketch of his life will be of more than passing interest to the citizens of this locality. He was born in Chambers County, Ala., October 15, 1838, and is a son of Nathan H. and Francis R. (Hogue) Butler, who were born in Elbert and Waltham Counties, Ga., respectively, the former’s birth occurring in 1818; and like his father, Daniel Butler (who was born in South Carolina, and died in Georgia), he was a worker in wood and a skillful wagon-maker. He and wife were married in Paulding County, Ga., and resided in that State and in various counties in Alabama, until 1855, when they came to Arkansas, locating in White County, but only remained a short time and then moved back to Alabama. In 1863 or 1864, they went to Mississippi and Tennessee, and in 1875 located in Fulton County, Ark., where the father died the same fall. His widow is now residing in Viola, of that county, and is enjoying good health. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, as was her husband, and to them were born eight children, of whom James Marion was the eldest. Of these only four are now living: M. L., a blacksmith of Viola; Louisa M., wife of William Smith; William P. H., residing in the State of Colorado, and our subject. Those deceased are Napoleon B., Martha A. E., George W. and Mary. J. James Marion Butler received his schooling in the State of Alabama, and while growing to manhood learned the blacksmith and wagon-maker’s trade of his father. At the age of twenty-one years he began depending on his own resources for obtaining a livelihood, and from that time until the opening of the Rebellion worked in Alabama. Although his father served in the Union army for some time, he espoused the cause of the Confederacy and first joined the Alabama Legion, which was consolidated and thrown into other regiments, the Twenty-third Alabama Battalion of Sharpshooters being a part left over. He served two years as sergeant, participating in many battles, among which were Chickamauga, Petersburg, being entrenched in the ditches of that city for nine months; Hatch’s Run, and the Virginia campaign. He received a flesh wound in the leg at Chickamauga, and at Appomattox Court House, about two hours before the surrender, he received a very severe wound in the right arm. After the war he remained in Alabama until 1866, when he went to the State of Mississippi, and from there came to Fulton County, Ark., in 1870, and here has since made his home. In 1879 he moved to his present location, which is a farm consisting of 360 acres of as good land as there is anywhere, and in addition to looking after this property still continues to work at his trade. He is a Democrat in his political views, and in 1885-86 served as justice, of the peace. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and as a citizen of Fulton County has been identified with its advancement and growth ever since locating here. He was married in 1860 to Miss Rhoda Ann Bryant, a daughter of Alexander Bryant, and her death occurred in Izard County, Ark., in 1875, when thirty-seven years of age. Of the eight children born to her union only four are now living: Charles D., of Texas; Elizabeth E., wife of James A. Talley, a farmer of the county; Nancy E., wife of Abraham L. Reed, a farmer residing near Mansfield, and Nathan D., at home. Mrs. Butler was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.