Butler, South Dakota is named after Harrison Thomas Butler (1834–1917), the original owner of the land now occupied by the town.
Move to the Dakota Territory
Photo courtesy of Susan Weiland.
Harrison was born in Coshocton, Ohio (about 75 miles northeast of Columbus), to Noah Butler (1803-1852) and Rebecca Cox (1806-1853). Earlier generations of his Butler family were from Virginia.
In the 1880s, the railroad began pushing west through the Dakota Territory and the United States government, looking to populate the area, decided to attract settlers by giving away land. In many cases, anyone over 21 years old could claim at least 480 acres by simply presenting a description of their desired property to the U.S. Land office.
During this period of land grants, Harrison acquired property in Day County, Dakota Territory. In 1887, he decided to deed 80 acres of his land to the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad for the development of a townsite. His only condition was that they name the town Butler.
The Town of Butler
Originally known as Butler Village, Butler was incorporated as a town in 1895. One of the first schools in Butler was located in a claim shanty (a cabin built hastily on a land claim to legalize possession of the land) on the property of Harrison’s son, George Washington Butler. The first public school was later built on the corner of Harrison’s homestead.
The town of Butler thrived in the early 1900s but gradually lost population as younger generations moved to cities in search of work. Today, Butler, South Dakota boasts a population of 17 people.
Harrison Thomas Butler Family
Harrison married Cynthia Ann Lloyd (1837-1914) and had five children: George Washington Butler (1858-1942); Rachel Florence Butler Yeager (1862-1937); Jennie Belle Butler Hart (1867-1899); Leo Lee Butler (1870-1953); and Tina Fay Butler Strandness (1875-1960).
South Dakota Butler Aboo!
Butler Park in Hot Springs, South Dakota is named after Chicago businessman Frank Osgood Butler.
Primary Sources:
- Harrison Thomas Butler 1834-1917 – Ancestry®. (n.d.). Harrison Thomas Butler 1834-1917 – Ancestry®.
- Cisewski, V. (2003). Butler Village. USGenNet.
- South Dakota – History. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica.
