George W. Butcher, Sr., is one of the successful pioneers of Bear Creek
Township. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, October 27, 1822, son of
Jacob and Rachel (McCollum) Butcher. The father was born in Virginia,
married in Fairfield County, Ohio, and reared a family of ten children –
Amanda, George W., Rebecca, Samuel, Nancy, Julia Ann, Mary Jane, Saluda,
Jacob and Delany. The Butcher family came to this county in 1838 or 1839,
coming with a horse team, and located in the woods of Bear Creek Township.
The father built a log house, 18 x 20 feet, the logs being split so that it
was a round-log on the outside and hewed-long on the inside. There was a
clapboard root and weight poles, a puncheon floor and one glass window.
George W. passed his early life in assisting to clear the farm. He was
married in March, 1845, to Miss Elizabeth Nelson, who was born in Licking
County, Ohio, December 14, 1830, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Hilton)
Nelson, who is still living – Mrs. Butcher and Mrs. Mary Armstrong. The
parents came to Adams County, this State, in 1840, where they remained until
their decease.
After his marriage our subject located on section 2,
where he lived until 1865 then removed to his present farm, where he owns
200 acres of excellent land, a good residence and comfortable farm
buildings.
Mr. and Mrs. Butcher have twelve living children – Jacob,
Perry, William W., James M., George W., Jr., Samuel A. M., Isaac N., Charles
H., Mary E., Rachel Ann, Julia Ann, Adam Clark and Alexander B. Mr. Butcher
is a Democrat, and a worthy member of the United Brethren Church.
Biographical and Historical Record of Jay County, Indiana
Lewis Publishing Co, 1887
Transcribed by Jim Cox
Buried in Old Brethren Cemetery