My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM B. BUATTE, who for many years has resided in Randolph County and is now serving as County Commissioner, has the honor of being a native of Illinois. He was born in Kaskaskia, Randolph County, July 30, 1849, and is a son of Felix Buatte, who was also born in Kaskaskia. The family is of French descent and was the second family that located in the old historic town in which our subject was born. He was the third in order of birth in a family of four children. His mother died when he was only two years old, and his father removed to Iowa, where he lived for nine years. He was four times married.

Our subject attended the subscription schools of the Hawkeye State, and after the return of the family to Kaskaskia, there completed his education. He worked on a farm with his father until fourteen years of age, when he started out in life for himself as a farm hand. In that way he earned his livelihood for seven years, after which he began farming for himself. His time and attention have since been devoted to that pursuit, and his enterprise and industry, together with his well directed efforts, have made him one of the leading farmers of this locality. He knew the old time capital in the days of its prominence, as well as after the Mississippi had largely carried it away. His family was among the first pioneers here, and his great-great-grandfather’s name was on the old bell which was taken to the World’s Fair in 1893, among the Kaskaskia exhibits.

Mr. Buatte has been twice married. In November, 1871, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth (Dobbs) Danis, daughter of Jackson Dobbs, of Kaskaskia, and a native of Georgia. By their union were born six children, of whom three are yet living, John S., Robert and Hon. William Bernard Buatte. The mother of the family died in November, 1891. In April, 1892, the father married Mrs. Margaret (Caudle) Milligan. One child graces this marriage, Felix Ulmont.

Mr. Buatte holds membership with the Roman Catholic Church, and his wife belongs to the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat, having been a stalwart supporter of that party since attaining his majority. He has been honored with a number of public positions, has held school and road offices, and in 1890 he was nominated by the Democratic party as County Commissioner for Randolph County, and was elected by a handsome majority. He was made Chairman of the Board, and so well did he fill the office that at the convention in Kaskaskia, in September, 1893, he was re-nominated by acclamation. The election returns showed him to be the successful candidate, and when his present term has expired he will have held the office for six consecutive years. He is prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties and is filling the position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is always true to a trust, whether public or private, and by an honorable, upright life he has won the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. In his business relations he has met with success and is now a substantial citizen, one well worthy of representation in this volume.