EDWARD EVERETT BUTTERFIELD

BIOGRAPHY

AS RECORDED IN:

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF TOLLAND
AND WINDHAM COUNTIES CONNECTICUT.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS AND OF MANY
OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES.

PUBLISHER: J.H.BEERS & CO., CHICAGO; 1903 P. 811

EDWARD EVERETT BUTTERFIELD, who was born in Springfield, Mass., April 18, 1831, is a son of Jonas Butterfield, who was born in Syracuse, N.Y., in 1790, and died in Springfield, Mass., Aug. 7, 1852.

For forty years Jonas Butterfield was connected with the Springfield armory, and was employed the most of that long period in the filing department. In Springfield he cleared the pine timber from a lot near the armory, and built him a home on East State street. An old-line Whig, he never was an office seeker. In religion he was a devoted and active member of the Congregational Church. In 1814 he was married to Miss Anna McQuivey, of Springfield, a daughter of Solomon McQuivey. To this union were born: Ann,
who died when two years of age; James, who was born in 1816; Julia, born in 1818; Oliver, 1820; William Harvey, 1824; Persis, 1822; Henry, 1826; Mary Louise, 1829; Edward E., 1831.

Jeremiah Butterfield was the grandfather of Edward Everett.

Edward Everett Butterfield received his education in the public schools of his native town, and at sixteen years of age became a newsboy on the train of the Boston and Albany Road, which ran between Springfield and Worcester, making the trip four times a day. After a year at this kind of work, he gave it up, and going to Ware, Mass., secured a position as stage driver on a line from West Bromfield, to Amherst, Mass., making a trip of twenty-seven miles daily. This was before the day of railroads, and he was engaged on
the stage for three years. In April, 1851, Mr. Butterfield became the driver of a four-horse team between Staffordville and Stafford Springs, and thence to Hartford, carrying freight for Arba G. Hyde, at which he worked two years, and then, after spending a year in a machine shop, entered the teaming business, buying the outfit and good will of Jasper Spellman, and built up a considerable trade between Staffordville and Stafford Springs, having Wilson Perry for a partner, under the firm name of Ferry & Butterfield. The two continued together for a year, when Mr. Butterfield bought out his partner, and became the sole proprietor of the business. He conducted it for some fifteen years, when he sold it to Oscar Marcy. Mr. Butterfield took a position with the New London and Northern Railroad Company, as purchasing agent, having his headquarters at Stafford Springs. For some fifteen years he held this position with the Company, purchasing wood, ties, timber, and passed on all claims against the road.

Mr. Butterfield in 1886 set up in the wood business for himself, and furnished finished lumber, having a planing mill which is now operated by his two sons, who do custom work only. In this enterprise a large success crowned his industry. A steam planing-mill was put in operation when they rebuilt about 1889. Mr. Butterfield and his family were living in rooms over the First National Bank, when the memorable flood of 1877 poured down the valley, and swept away all their household effects.

Mr. Butterfield belongs to Wolcott Lodge, F.&A.M., of Stafford Hollow, of which he is now past master. He is a charter member of Orient Chapter, No. 42, R.A.M., of Stafford. He is a member of the Universalist Church at Stafford Hollow, where his wife also finds her religious home. In politics he is a staunch Democrat, and for twenty-six years was moderator at the town meeting. He has also been a member of the board of burgesses, where he served on the committee on Roads. Though he has been solicited to take
office many times he has not usually accepted, although he has been constable and assessor.

Mr. Butterfield was married March 18, 1852, to Lura Foskitt. She was born Nov. 25, 1834, a daughter of Dwight and Lurancy (Nelson) Foskitt, of Wales, Mass., where her father was a farmer and a shoemaker. To this union were born: Clara J., born Jan. 15, 1853, who married Irving Grant, of Staffordville, and is now a widow, making her home with her father; Ella, born March 7, 1855, who died Oct. 28, of the same year; Charles Edward, born Oct. 1, 1856, who married Anna Clara Smith, a daughter of William Smith; Frank Dwight, born Oct. 28, 1861, who married Hattie Willis, and is now dead.

Mr. Butterfield has a home on East street, where he and his family are very comfortably situated.

Reproduced by:

Linda D. Pingel – great-great granddaughter of Cyrus White of Rockville, Ct.