Justus Butler, one of Steuben County's pioneers, was born in New York state, July 2, 1802.  He was reared in his native state and when a young man removed to Lorain County, Ohio, where he was married November 23, 1829, to Anna Clark, a native of the state of Vermont, born August 6, 1812, and removed to Lorain County with her parents when two years of age.  In 1836 Mr. Butler, accompanied by his father-in-law, Samuel Clark, came to Steuben County for the purpose of locating land.  He entered 313 acres on Section 2, Jackson Township, and 54 acres on Section 35, Millgrove Township.  In the spring of 1837 he moved his family to their new home, locating in Jackson Township, on the south side of Lake Gage.  He built a log house and began at once to improve his land.  He died March 1, 1853.  His wife lived till February 10, 1885.  Their family consisted of nine children, three born in Ohio and six in Steuben County.  Of those born in Ohio -- Jackson W., Sarah Ann, and Samuel E. -- the former died of eight years, the second September 20, 1847, aged 15 years, and the last named was killed by lightning in 1854, at the age of nineteen years.  But two of the children born in Steuben County lived till maturity -- Joseph and Mark Justus, the latter now in Nebraska.  Joseph Butler now owns and occupies the old homestead.  He was born July 24, 1847, and was reared on the farm.  In 1874 he was elected Clerk of the Courts of Steuben County, and served four years.  At the expiration of his term of service he entered the law office of Woodhull and Croxton, Angola, and in January 1880, entered the law department of the Illinois Wesleyan University, at Bloomington.  He subsequently resumed his reading in the office of Woodhull and Croxton, and in November, 1881, formed a partnership in the practice of his profession at Angola, the firm being Butler, Walls, and Cline.  In the spring of 1882, Mr. Walls retired from the firm, and the firm of Butler and Cline continued until July, 1884.  In November, 1883, Mr. Butler returned to the homestead, where he has since lived.  He served as trustee of Pleasant Township from April, 1882, till April, 1884.  He was married in 1881 to Salena, daughter of Dr. Weicht, of Angola.  They have one child -- Bessie Nola.  


Submitted By: Mindee Gleason