This enterprising and leading farmer in the vicinity of Rosetta is a native of the occident, and his career has all been spent in the west. He is a son of this country, in which commendable pride may be taken, and has done a great deal to assist in its development and up building. Therefore a brief review of his life will be quite in place in this history of his County.
Thomas M. Butler was born near the John Day, in Oregon, on November 12, 1867, being the son of Jason R. and Mary K. (Fields) Butler, natives respectively of Rockland, Maine, and Linn County, Oregon, the latter being born on December 12, 1847. The parents were farmers and our subject received a common school education and was reared amid the surroundings and labors of a western farm.
He remained in the native place until 1890, engaged in farming and at the year mentioned he migrated to the favored country of Idaho. He rented land on the Potlatch until 1806 and then, upon the opening of the reservation, he selected his present place, two miles west from Rosetta and homesteaded it. Since that time this has been his home and he has devoted himself to general farming and has prospered. At the present time Mr. Butler is erecting a fine, two story house, which, when completed, will be one of the finest rural abodes in the County. In addition to the comfort and beauty that skill and architecture can make of the residence, Mr. Butler is exceptionally well favored, in that from the veranda of his beautiful home can be seen for miles the fertile valleys of the Potlatch and the Cottonwood, making a sight that will feast the eyes of the lover of landscape beauty. This enrapturing view is one of the most beautiful to be found anywhere on the reservation and to have it constantly as the vista of the home place makes Mr. Butler especially favored in his home surroundings.
Mr. Butler married Miss Mabel J., daughter of Charles B. and Margaret (Weeks) Herrick and a native of Iowa, on June 13, 1886. She has two brothers and one sister living, Fred, Clarence and Nellie G. Mr. Butler has the following named brothers and sisters: William C. and Clarence A., both living in Idaho; Lucinda. A., wife of Charles W. Little; Lillia A., wife of Charles W. Laughlin: Catherine I., wife of Lonzo McWillis; Sophrona A., wife of Fred X. Fells; Clara E., and Bessie A.
Back to: Nez Perce Biographies
Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903