Butcher - Alexander Marion
ALEXANDER MARION BUTCHER
Source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co pg 728
Alexander M. Butcher, a Henry County pioneer who has contributed his part to the upbuilding of the county and State, is now living retired, after an active life of usefulness of over a half a century in this State. Mr. Butcher is a native of Ohio. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, February 5, 1837, and is a son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Sillin) Butcher, natives of Virginia, the former of Hampshire and the latter of Loudoun County. The father died in 1843 when Alexander M. was about six years of age. The mother afterwards married Samuel Crow. She died in Auglaize County, Ohio. To Nathan and Elizabeth (Sillin) Butcher were born the following children: Alexander M., the subject of this sketch: John, deceased; Mrs. Mary Ellen Crawford, Wapakoneta, Ohio; James, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Upon the death of his father, Alexander M. made his home with his grandfather, James Butcher, Sr., who moved to Montgomery County, Indiana, in 1849. Mr. Butcher was reared to manhood in his native State and Indiana, and received a common school education. When the Civil War broke out he lived in Indiana and served in the Home Guard, during the Morgan raid. In 1866, Mr. Butcher came to Missouri and settled in Big Creek township where he first bought eighty acres of land from James Webster. He added to his original holdings until he at one time owned six hundred acres. Later he disposed of some of his land and now owns four hundred and thirty-six acres in Henry County, which he now rents and is living retired in Warrensburg, Missouri. Alexander M. Butcher was united in marriage with Miss Margaret E. Waugh, a native of Montgomery County, Indiana, born in 1842. She died October 11, 1915. The following children were born to Alexander M. and Margaret E. (Waugh) Butcher: Martha Elizabeth, now Mrs. F. M. Engel, Warrensburg, Missouri; James Wallace, farmer, Bogard township; Frank S., Lawrence, Kansas; Paris P., deceased; Charlie W., Centerview; Mary Agnes, married Frank M. Gray, Big Creek township; Milton E., deceased; Clinton E., Big Creek township, and Harry E., deceased. When Mr. Butcher came to Henry County the ruin wrought by the Civil War was in evidence on every hand, and as he expresses it, the number of charred chimneys in view plainly indicated the wages of war. He soon found and made many new friends in the new country, and since first coming to Henry County he has never regretted his choice of a home. Mr. Butcher is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in politics, although he is a believer in men instead of parties. At one time he was the Republican candidate for county judge, but owing to the great normal Democratic majority, was defeated. He has held local township office and for a number of years in the early days was township clerk of Big Creek township. He is one of the substantial pioneer citizens, who has contributed his part to the development and upbuilding of Henry County.