Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties-Jacob H. Butt


Portrait and Biographical Record of
Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties

Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893




JACOB H. BUTT, a representative farmer of Cheever Township, Dickinson County, residing on section 27, is one of the worthy citizens that Pennsylvania has furnished to Kansas. He was born in Adams County, January 25, 1841, and is a son of Adam and Nancy (Bennett) Butt. Both were natives of Adams County, Pa., and came of old families of the Keystone State. The mother of our subject died in Adams County, and the father, who still survives, is a resident of Gettysburg, Pa.

Their family numbered eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, Jacob being the fifth in order of birth. The days of his boyhood were spent in Adams County, with the exception of one summer, when he was a resident of Lee County, Ill. When the Civil War was in progress he donned the blue, and in the fall of 1862 responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company I, One Hundred and Twenty'-sixth Pennsylvania Infantry, for a term of nine months. He afterward re-enlisted in the autumn of 1864, and was assigned to Company K, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, with which he remained until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Hatchie's Run, and was with his command until mustered out of the service.

When a young man Mr. Butt learned the shoemaker's trade in Pennsylvania and followed that occupation for three years. With the exception of that period he has followed farming throughout his entire life. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Harriet S. Pfeffer. their union being celebrated December 29, 1870. The lady was born in Adams County, Pa., October 21, 1849, and is a daughter of Frederick and Mary Ann (Epley) Pfeffer, who are also natives of Adams County, where they still reside. Both parents are of German descent and their families have long resided in the Keystone State. In the Pfeffer family were eleven children, four sons and seven daughters. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Butt have been born two daughters, Sarah Nancy and Mary Grace.

Mr. Butt continued to reside in the county of his nativity until his removal to Kansas in February, 1876. Since that time he has resided upon his farm on section 27, Cheever Township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of arable land. He has erected good buildings and made excellent improvements, which stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise and indicate his progressive spirit. Himself and wife are members of the Reformed Church, in which he has held the office of Deacon. He has also filled the office of Township Clerk, and has been a member of the School Board. He is now numbered among the substantial citizens of this community, and his prosperity has been won through untiring effort, enterprise, good management and perseverance. Ills many friends hold him in high regard, and their respect he has won by an upright life.



(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for Dickinson County KS AHGP