Cushing W Butterfield

Submitted by Marrie Miller

Nothing in the history of the American people is more remarkable or more indicative of their real character than the lofty courage, stern endurance, unflagging industry and readiness for every requirement shown by the pioneers or early settlers in all parts of our land. Every town of consequence, which is not the sudden and recent product of trade conditions, venerates the memory of some sterling, though it may be rugged founder, who anticipating the tide of emigration which has been flowing from the Atlantic seaboard steadily toward the sunset until it has overspread the whole country, planted his foot in the wilderness and hewed out a new home wherein his hopes might expand and flourish. To this class belonged the late Cushing W Butterfield of Crook county, Wyoming, who was one of the substantial and forceful elements in the early settlement and civilization. He was a native of Vermont, coming with parents to Iowa late in the sixties he passed a number of years at Durant, Cedar county, and there he met and married with Miss Hattie C Collier, a native of Ohio, and they soon after removed to O'Brien county in the same state where he was engaged in farming until 1882. At that time he came overland to Wyoming, bringing his young family and arriving at Beulah in July. Within a month after his arrival he located the ranch on Red Water Creek, eighteen miles northeast of Sundance, which is now owned by his sons, George C and Burdette S Butterfield. Only three ranches were occupied and under cultivation on the creek when this family settled there and the country was yet the primeval wilderness the habitat of the savage and wild beast. All the privations and dangers of remote pioneer life were to be encountered and all the conveniences and blandishments of cultivated life to be foregone. Yet with resolute hearts and lofty courage the family entered into a contest where men, beasts and nature seemed arrayed against them, and went steadily forward from victory to victory. They began an industry in raising cattle and horses which was conducted under the direction of the father until 1888 when he turned it over to his sons and went to Nebraska. He remained there but a short time, then returned to Wyoming where he died in September, 1890. His widow survived him eleven years dying in 1901. No residents of the county were better known or more highly esteemed. Mr Butterfield was noted far and wide for his great industry and his stern and unyielding integrity. He was always active in politics as a Republican but never sought office for himself, being a man of lofty public spirit and the most progressive ideas. The family consists of four children. William H Butterfield, the eldest son, born in 1868. is perhaps the best-known of the name in the live stock circles of the state. He was one of the early range riders of the county, riding for a number of large cattle companies and winning high commendation for his skill and courage. He is now a wealthy stock dealer and cattle feeder on a very extensive scale at Wisner, Neb, where in 1891 he married with Miss Bessie L Mansfield and has since made his home there, taking occasional business trips to Wyoming. Burdette S, the second child, was born in 1870 and was married in 1899 to Miss Ella Douglas, a Crook county lady, resident in the county since she was six months old. Mrs Minnie B Rich, the third child and only daughter, was educated at the State Normal School at Spearfish, S D, and was for a number of years one of the county's most popular teachers. She married on June 10, 1899, Henry E Rich, a prosperous ranchman and resides eight miles north of Sundance. The youngest son and child, George C Butterfield, was born in March, 1876, at Sheldon, Iowa, and grew to manhood in Crook county and was educated at the public schools supplemented by instruction at the State Normal School at Spearfish, S D. After leaving school he joined his father on the farm and since then has been occupied with its work and improvement. In 1897 he and his brother Burdette S. formed a partnership for conducting a stock business and since have been engaged in raising cattle and horses on a scale of increasing magnitude. They have 880 acres of land in addition to the fine home ranch on Red Water Creek which their father took up, the properties being well improved, with good buildings and cultivated with assiduous industry and skill. They understand their business thoroughly, having had years of practical experience, and are well acquainted with localities and with people in northern Wyoming and adjoining states. They are Republicans in politics but have never allowed office to be thrust upon them. The brothers all belong to the Modern Woodmen of America, B S and G C, all holding membership in the lodge at Beulah, except W H whose affiliation is at Wisner. Young, active, progressive and highly esteemed, with a full and accurate knowledge of their business and tireless energy in pushing it, as social factors welcomed in every desirable circle, being in accord with the best tendencies in civil affairs, the Butterfield brothers are on the threshold of a fruitful and promising future. Burdette has made his home on the ranch and George has been dealing in stock as a commission merchant in addition to his ranching interests.