Source: Biographical Record of Whiteside County, Illinois - 1900, S. J. Clark Publishing Co.
Transcribed by Denise McLoughlin, Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 281

WILLIAM BUTMAN, now living retired two miles and a half east of Fulton, this county, was for many years of his active life identified with the railway service of our country. He was born in Rutland, Vermont, February 10, 1821, a son of James W. and Esther (MOULTHROP) BUTMAN, the former of whom was a native of Salem, Massachusetts, and a sea captain.

William BUTMAN spent a part of his early life in Elmira, New York, to assume the publication  of the "Dundee Record: in which he had  purchased a half interest. After two years in that position, he became connected with the Rochester & Buffalo Railway, which was one of the seven roads running between Buffalo and Albany that have since been consolidated into the New York Central railroad. He was employed as baggageman for a time, then made conductor of a passenger train running from  Rochester to Buffalo, a position that he held twenty years, when he was forced to give it up on account of failing health. Going next into the New York Custom House as custom house examiner and verifier, he remained there three years, when he was offered what he considered a more desirable position , that of conductor on the Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railway, at that time just completed. He accepted, and served as conductor of the first train that went over the road, running from Detroit to Howard City. This was in 1872, and he continued with the comany fourteen years. He was held in high favor by the officials of the road, and was very popular with the traveling public, as testified by a recommendation from James F. JOY, part owner, and the best known president of that raod, that he has still in his possession, commending his qualities as an efficient conductor, and otherwise complimenting him.

While in the Custom House, Mr. BUTMAN had bought as an investment, three hundred acres of land on section 26, Fulton township, Whiteside county, and on this he has resided since retiring from the road, but has never engaged in agricultural pursuits, having leased his land.

In 1841, Mr. BUTMAN married Clarissa BOOTH, daughter of Elisha BOOTH, a Baptist minister, of New York state. She died in 1871, leaving three children as follows: Theodore F., who at the time of his death, in 1877, was secretary and treasurer of the Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railway Company; William who died December 1, 1898; and Emily E., wife of J. W. BOYER, who for many years has held a responsible position with the American Express Company, at Detroit. On September 17, 1873, Mr. BUTMAN was again married, Abbie GOODRICH becoming his wife. She was born in Hubbard, Trumbull county, Ohio, a daughter of Leonard and Juliet (STANDISH) GOODRICH, and a direct descendant of Captain Miles STANDISH, the Mayflower Pilgrim made famous by our beloved poet, Henry W. LONGFELLOW. Of this union seven children haave been born, three of whom are living, namely: Frank, agent for the American Express Company, running on the North-Western Railway, from Janesville, Wisconsin, to Harvard; Clifton and Nellie; two died in infancy, James and Etta M. Mr. BUTMAN is a Knight Templar, having been made a Mason at Rochester, New York, after which he joined the chapter and commandery at Buffalo, New York. Mrs. BUTMAN, a woman of culture and refinement, has been a member of the Baptist church.