BUTCHER, Albert C. - Putnam

The life of Albert C. BUTCHER, well known resident of Clinton, Indiana has resulted in much good to his fellow men for while laboring for his own advancement he has never neglected his duties to others. He believes the duty of everyone while passing through this world is to do all the good he can, help his neighbors who are in need of succor of any kind and thereby one will be strengthened for his own battle. Mr. Butcher was born on Sept. 17, 1858, in Putnam County Indiana and there he grew to manhood and received a good common school education. He is a son of Joe and Lina (Sailor) Butcher, the father a native of Kentucky from which state he removed to Indiana when about 12 and he spent the rest of his life in this state. After his death his wife removed to Missouri where she died. They were the parents of 14 children 8 of whom are still living. The father was a millwright by trade. Politically, he was a Republican. Clark Butcher, the subject's paternal grandfather lived in Ky. Grandfather Sailor was a native of Germany from which country he came to the US when young. Albert C. Butcher was married March 8, 1876 to Ellen Henkel who was born March 29, 1859 in Putnam County Indiana where she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. She was a daughter of Joe and Elizabeth (Sullivan) Henkel. She died March 4, 1891 and on Feb 24, 1893, Mr. Butcher was united in marriage to Ida Parmer (sic - should be Palmer) who was born in Montgomery County, Indiana and her death occurred August 14, 1906. Mr. Butcher's third marriage occurred April 7, 1907 to Ella Norton who was born in Tennessee on Jan 12, 1891 the daughter of James and Sarah (Day) Norton. She received a common school education. Mr. Butcher is the father of 12 children, 11 of whom are still living namely: Mattie; Elma; Della; Aaron; Lena; Nora; Minnie; Homer; William; Ruth; Godfrey and Ora and an adopted son, James Long Butcher. Starting in life as a farmer, by hard toil Mr. Butcher soon forged ahead financially. In 1901 he came to Clinton and purchased a half interest in the saw mill owned by his brother James, the remaining interest being later bought by CR Cooper and himself, who still run the business under the firm name of Butcher & Cooper. When he came to Clinton Mr. Butcher purchased property and erected a residence on the banks of the Wabash River. A few years later he erected a large and commodius residence in Fairview Park which was soon afterwards destroyed by fire. He is now the owner of a store at Fairview Park and the saw mill and other property, all of which he has won by perservering efforts and sound business methods, so that now he is enjoying a substantial income. Upon locating in Clinton, Mr. Butcher began to preach in the church of the United Brethren in Christ in which denomination he had been ordained a minister 3 years previously. The congregations to which he preached in Clinton were composed mostly of those not familiar with church walls and among them he worked with definite results. As his congregation increased, he conceived the idea of forming a new sect where fashion and style should not be the standard of a member's worth. So the new church was launched, officers elected and a discipline promulgated for the government of the church. The subject is now bishop of this denomination and his work has been blessed with splendid resuts. The church continues to grow and now posseses many thousands of dollars in property. He is a preacher of more than ordinary ability and has been popular with all congregations where he has labored. Mr. Butcher is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Clinton. Politically, he is a Progressive as might be expected for he believes in theworld moving forward laying aside the old and unsound and assuming the new and sound.