Generation No. 1
1. MARTIN J.4 BUTLER (NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born 1816 in N.C, and died Unknown in Ark. He married ELIZABETH DAVIS Abt. 1849 in unk. She was born 1825 in Tn, and died 1902 in Briggs, Burnet Co., Tx.
Notes for MARTIN J. BUTLER:Martin J.(possibly James) was the oldest son of Nealy and Arina Ozier. Born in North Carolina in 1816 ..spent several years in Tennessee and then reported to have moved to Carroll County Arkansas in 1836. He married Elizabeth Davis about 1849. The 1850 federal census shows Martin to be living at Prairie Township Carroll County Arkansas,dwelling #423. The 1860 census shows the family living at King's River Township,Carroll County Ark. with the following info: Martin 44,Elizabeth35,Columbus 6,Cordelia Q. 4 and Martin J. age 2.Occupation indicates Baptist minister. No further info after 1860 has been developed about Martin with the exception of reference to "Elizabeth being the widow of Martin J. Butler deceased of Carroll County Arkansas" in a October 1867 application for probate filed in Williamson County Texas. Notes from Green Forest Tribune Carroll Co Sat.August 31,1901 P.1 Col 1 mention that in 1852 Martin and Isaac Standlee established the New Hope Baptist Church. In 1853 they established the Palestine Baptist Church.In the same year Martin and a George Gaddy established the Salem United Baptist Church on Dry Creek and the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. At this point no further information has been developed about the demise of Martin J. Butler or where he might be buried. The Texas probate documents would indicate he died in late 1866 or early 1867. A family member " remembers "reference to his death in Arkansas that envolved a fire that destroyed the home. An old clock reported to have been brought to Texas by Elizabeth bore signs of having been in a fire.Notes for ELIZABETH DAVIS:Elizabeth Davis arrived in Williamson County Texas in late 1867 as a widow with children Columbus A.,Martin J., and William Franklin. In October 1867 she petitioned the Probate court of Williamson County for guardianship of her minor children and assets of recently deceased husband, Martin . This was a common practice/requirement of widows at that time. The application was approved and recorded in Feburary 1868. The Rev. W. G. Shaw and Elias Queen were surities for the application. The inventory part of the petition reads"Inventory of the property belonging to the estate of M.J.Butler Deceased of the State of Arkansas,Carol(sic) County brought to this Williamson County by Elizabeth Butler reliet of said M.J.Butler, Deceased, exclusive of a tract of land being in said State of Arkansas is : 7 head of horses the whole number valued at $200." Samuel Queen , S.J. Barber and A.F.M. Shaw attested to value of inventory. Deed records reflect Elizabeth purchased a lot on Salado creek in the town of Florence July 9,1868 from a Thomas Potts for $400. Deed records dated November 3,1876 show a sale of that property ,or part of, to a Jas.G. Dubose for $150. The 1880 federal census shows Elizabeth living in Williamson County with sons Columbus age 25 ,M.J. age 20, William F. age 15, and a daughter Missoura age 13. As there is no evidence Elizabeth ever remarried it is possible she was pregnant when she left Arkansas. At this time no information has been located on William F. , Missoura, or Cordelia Q. Elizabeth died in 1902 and is buried in the family plot in Briggs, Texas The 1900 census has Elizabeth living with her son Columbus in Burnet Co. Texas and list her date of birth as August 1827. The 1900 census indicates she had five children with three living. Columbus and Martin J. are the only two identified and listed in that census.
Children of MARTIN BUTLER and ELIZABETH DAVIS are: 2. i. COLUMBUS ASBURY5 BUTLER, b. 28 Feb 1854, Carroll Co., AR; d. 08 Jun 1937, Burnet County ,Tx. 3. ii. MARTIN JAMES BUTLER II, b. 1858, Carroll County, Ark; d. 04 May 1943, Florence, Williamson County Tx.. iii. CORDELIA Q BUTLER, b. 1856, CarrollCounty Ark; d. Unknown, unk.
Notes for CORDELIA Q BUTLER: The last recorded information on Cordelia Butler is the 1860 Federal census which shows her born 1856 in Carroll Co. Ark. and living at King's River Twp.,Carroll Co. ,Ark.
iv. WILLIAM FRANKLIN BUTLER, b. 1865, Carroll County Ark; d. Unknown.
Notes for WILLIAM FRANKLIN BUTLER: The last recorded information on William Franklin Butler is the 1880 Federal census which shows date of birth 1865 in Carroll Co. Ark and living in Williamson Co. Texas. No information subsequent to 1880 has been located.
v. MISSOURA BUTLER, b. Abt. 1867, Williamson Co. Texas; d. Unknown.
Notes for MISSOURA BUTLER: The only information located on Missoura Butler is the 1880 Federal census which shows her to be 13 years of age. No details of her birth or life after 1880 have been located.
Generation No. 2
2. COLUMBUS ASBURY5 BUTLER (MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1)1 was born 28 Feb
1854 in Carroll Co., AR, and died 08 Jun 1937 in Burnet County ,Tx. He married MARY FRANCIS TAYLOR 18 Nov 1883
in Prairie Lea, Williamson Co. Tx, daughter of STEPHEN TAYLOR and NANCY ROSS. She was born 22 Sep 1865 in
Henderson Co., TN, and died 23 May 1936 in Burnet County, TX.
[Photo of Columbus and Mary Francis Butler in 1930]....[Photo of Columbus and Mary Butler in 1935]
Notes for COLUMBUS ASBURY BUTLER: Columbus Asbury Butler was known by friends and acquaintances as "Lum". He came to Texas with his widowed mother and siblings in 1867 settling in Williamson County Texas. The 1880 census continues to list him in Williamson County. He married Mary Francis Taylor on Nov.18,1883 at Prairie Lea, Williamson Co. Texas. By 1900 he is living in Briggs, Burnet Co. Texas with family of four girls and three boys, his eighth child was a daughter born in 1901. He was farming 160 acres of land purchased from Father-in-law Stephen Taylor.The land was described as located on the waters of Berrys creek out of the Donald Smith survey. Deed records Vol.48 page 260-261 dated January 15,1900 offers details of purchase. There is reference in the history of that area "that Lum Butler and family were living where the old Pulliam house now stands", which is in Briggs,Burnet County. Some years later the family sold that property (details have not been located) and acquired 239 acres, also in Burnet County, across the road from Watson's store,now known as Watson ,Burnet Co.,Tx. Records reflect the land was purchased from J.C. Watson and wife M.E. Watson in a deed dated December 23, 1919. Lum and Mary Francis lived on this property until their death. In addition to their home there was another small house on the property where M.L.Butler and family lived for a time and their four children were believed to be born there. Children of COLUMBUS BUTLER and MARY TAYLOR are: [Photo of Family Group in 1920]....[Photo of Family Group in 1921] 4. i. MARVIN LEE6 BUTLERSR., b. 14 Jan 1894, Williamson Co. TX; d. 23 Dec 1965, Austin, Travis Co.TX. ii. LUDIE BUTLER, b. 22 Nov 1884, Prairie Lea, Williamson Co. Texas; d. 02 Oct 1957, LampasasLampasas Co.,Texas; m. DEE ROY MCMILLAN, 25 Sep 1912, Prairie Lea, Williamson County,Tx; b. 06 Mar 1888, Bell County,Tx; d. 24 Nov 1965, Lampasas ,Lampasas Co.,Texas.Notes for LUDIE BUTLER: Ludie Butler was the oldest child of C.A. and Mary Francis Butler. She attended school at Briggs and Florence, and Howard Payne College in Brownwood, Texas. She taught school in Briggs, beginning around 1903, and later at Pleasant Hill School ,also known as Redbud, which was located near Watson. Ludie married D. R. McMillan of Bell Co. in 1912. They never had children but raised William Donivan "Don" Butler (son of Marvin Butler) from the age of 4 years. In a publication titled " THE FIRST QUARTER-CENTURY OF THE GUM SPRINGS-TAYLOR'S GIN -BRIGGS SCHOOL" Marvin L. Butler writes " Ludie Butler , the oldest of eight children of Columbus A. and Mary Francis Taylor Butler, was born November 22, 1884, at Prairie Lea in Williamson County, Texas. She started to school at Gum Springs in 1891 when Mr. R.E.Ward was principal. Her next two years were during the principalship of Mr. Henry Campbell. Following the removal of the school to Taylor's Gin she was a student there during Mr. John S. Smith's tenure as principal. Shortly after 1900 she tranferred to the Florence High School, from which she was graduated in 1904. She began teaching at Briggs that fall and later taught several years at Florence, San Marcos, and elsewhere, and between schools attended Howard Payne College in Brownwood. She taught fully 25 years before her health failed. She was married September 25, 1912, to D.R.McMillan of Maxdale,Texas, and died October 2, 1957. In a matter of personal interest, our mother was the daughter of the Stephen Taylor for whom Taylor's Gin was named. He moved to the community in the very early 80's, erected a gin, and a store which he later sold to Mr. J. W. Edgar. I remember hearing our mother speak of driving the horses at the gin--that was a long time before steam came into use in that part of the country." Marvin L. Butler (Brother) In the same publication Mrs. Eulalia Dillingham of Austin,Texas writes "Ludie Butler and I were graduated from Florence High School in 1904. We were desk-mates all of our school days--except for one term--and remained the closest of friends until her death.5. iii. WILLIAM HASKELL BUTLER, b. Mar 1887, Williamson Co. Tx.; d. Bef. 1942, Texas. 6. iv. SARAH FRANCIS BUTLER, b. 11 Sep 1892, Williamson Co..Texas; d. 19 Mar 1976, Lampasas, Lampasas Co., Texas. v. MARTIN TAYLOR BUTLER, b. 19 Apr 1896, Williamson Co, Tx; d. 25 Mar 1912, Briggs,Burnet Co, Tx.Notes for MARTIN TAYLOR BUTLER: Martin Taylor Butler was known as" Taylor" to family and friends. He attended Briggs/Gum Spring school and graduated at the age of 14. At the age of 15, he received a "County Second Grade Certificate, dated December 9th. 1911, to teach school in Burnet County. He died on March 25, 1912 of peumonia. The local paper , The Briggs Review, on May 16, 1912 published an article titled " In Memory of Taylor". That article , his teaching certificate and check book from Briggs State Bank are in our files. His salary at the time was $40 per month and he was boarding with Mrs.L.P. Perkins of Briggs for $10 per month.7. vi. BETTY BUTLER, b. 28 Feb 1890, Williamson Co, Tx; d. 18 Jun 1933, Eden,Concho Co.,Tx. 8. vii. MARY EULALIA BUTLER, b. 1898, Williamson Co, Tx; d. 1986, Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co.,,Tx. 9. viii. MIMA LAURENCE BUTLER, b. 19 May 1901, Burnet Co, Tx; d. 09 May 1982, Lampasas, Lampasas Co., Texas.
3. MARTIN JAMES5 BUTLER II (MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born 1858 in Carroll County, Ark, and died 04 May 1943 in Florence, Williamson County Tx.. He married MARY LEE DALEY 05 Mar 1882 in Williamson County,Texas. She was born 1866 in unk, and died 1941 in Florence, Williamson County Tx..
Notes for MARTIN JAMES BUTLER II: Martin was known as Jay to most friends and acquaintances. Shirley Jackson said"Grandfather was a wonderful person and fun to be around." He was known to be having problems with his heart, and his daughter Mattie Lee Butler Jackson found him dead in bed one morning having died in his sleep. He had owned the farm for many years which was located between Florence and Andice along hwy. 970. As you go from Florence to Andice the farm was located on the north side of hwy. 970 right after you cross Berry Creek. The old house burned down many years ago and only oak trees remain at the site. Children of MARTIN BUTLER and MARY DALEY are: i. WILFORD RENAN6 BUTLER, b. 09 Feb 1893, Williamson Co. Texas; d. 23 Mar 1959, Williamson Co. Texas; m. NONE.Notes for WILFORD RENAN BUTLER: Wilford Renan ...as a child I(W.D. Butler) saw Renan on several occassions." I remember he injured his hand badly once in a windmill accident. He also worked for a time at the Rattlesnake Inn..between Georgetown and Florence as a bartender/manager." A niece Shirley Jackson Haden says she,her mother Mattie Lee Butler Jackson,brother Ula Franklin"Pete" Jackson, moved in with Renan at the home place between Andice and Florence after their father ,Ula F. Jackson died. After Renan died in 1959 they sold the farm which had been owned and the family home of Martin J. and Mary Lee Butler. Rennan was killed in a one car accident near Florence. In a visit to the Rattlesnake Inn October 2001(located between Florence and Briggs) W.D. Butler met several people who remembered Renan. A Jack Grumbles said he knew Renan well and remembered the night he was killed in a car accident just a few miles from the Inn. He had just got off work at midnight and was on his way home.ii. MARTIN J. BUTLERJR.(3RD), b. 1909, Williamson Co. Texas; d. 1941, Williamson Co. Texas; m. NONE.Notes for MARTIN J. BUTLERJR.(3RD): Martin never married and was killed during a cave-in at the Carbotex mine in Williamson County. Several other workers were injured. A niece said Martin's mother while already ill never recovered from effects of the accident and died a short time later.iii. CARL CROMWELL BUTLER, b. 10 Jan 1891, Williamson Co. Texas; d. 20 Jan 1893, Williamson Co. Texas.
10. iv. MATTIE LEE BUTLER, b. Sep 1896, Florence, Williamson Co.,,Texas; d. 27 Nov 1984, Austin,Travis Co.,Tx.
11. v. BERTHA BUTLER, b. Mar 1886, Williamson Co. Texas; d. Unknown.
12. vi. WILLIAM BUTLER, b. Abt. 1900, Williamson Co. Texas; d. Abt. 1960, Albuquerque N.M..
vii. EVA B. BUTLER, b. 10 Dec 1882, Florence,Williamson Co.,Texas; d. 17 Dec 1882, Florence ,Williamson Co.,
Texas.
Generation No. 3
4. MARVIN LEE6 BUTLER SR. (COLUMBUS ASBURY5 BUTLER, MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2,
CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born 14 Jan 1894 in Williamson Co. TX, and died 23 Dec 1965 in Austin, Travis Co.TX. He
married (1) RUBY MARION MASSEY 07 Jun 1925 in First Baptist Church Lampasas, Texas, daughter of GRAY and
UNKNOWN. She was born 27 Aug 1909 in Nacogdoches,Nacogdoches Co.Tx, and died 30 Jan 1984 in Bell, Los Angeles Co.,
Calif.. He married (2) ANNIE MAE DOVE Abt. 1946 in Waco, Tx, daughter of RUFUS DOVE and IDA PARKER. She was
born 22 Aug 1907 in Howard County Arkansas, and died 01 Oct 1990 in Waco,Texas. [Photo of Marvin Lee Butler in WWI uniform]
Notes for MARVIN LEE BUTLER SR.: Marvin Butler Sr. was originally buried at Forest Oaks Cemetery, Oakhill,Travis County, Texas. He was disinterred and buried in the Butler family plot at Mt Moriah Cemetery, Briggs,Burnet County, Texas in February 2002. Burial: Dec 1965, Mt. Moriah, Burnet Co. Tx. Notes for RUBY MARION MASSEY: Ruby Marion Massey was born 8-27-1909 in Nacogdoches, Texas.She and a younger sister were reported to have been orphaned at a very young age.Ruby was adopted by the Gray Family and Mildred by another family,name unknown. Burial: Jan 1984, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Cremation: 1984, Remains at Grand Canyon Natl. Park, Arizona
Children of MARVIN BUTLERSR. and RUBY MASSEY are: 13. i. WILLIAM DONIVAN7 BUTLER 14. ii. ELOISE MARIE BUTLER, b. 18 Oct 1928, Burnet Co, Tx; d. 13 Feb 2002, Orange Co., Fullerton, CA. 15. iii. MARVIN LEE BUTLER JR., b. 23 Apr 1926, BurnetCounty ,Texas; d. 06 Sep 1982, Harlingen,Cameron Co., Tx. 16. iv. MARGARET JOAN BUTLER, b. 10 Dec 1930, Burnet Co, Tx; d. Jan 1998, Buena Park, Los Angeles Co., Calif..
5. WILLIAM HASKELL6 BUTLER (COLUMBUS ASBURY5, MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born Mar 1887 in Williamson Co. Tx., and died Bef. 1942 in Texas. He married VIVIAN _______. She was born Unknown, and died Unknown.
Notes for WILLIAM HASKELL BUTLER: William Haskell is listed on the 1900 census as being born March 1887 and living with parents in Burnet County Texas. He was the second born of Columbus and Mary Francis Butler. It is remembered by family members, now living, that "Haskell" attended school in Briggs and later college at Howard Payne, in Brownwood ,Texas. He married Vivian,maiden name unknown, and had two daughters, Francis and Elaine. He is remembered as being a school teacher for many years and was teaching and living in "East Texas" possibly Sabine, Shelby or San Augustine counties when he died about 1942. There is no record of his exact date of death or location of burial site. Children of WILLIAM BUTLER and VIVIAN _______are: i. FRANCIS7 BUTLER, b. Unknown, Texas; d. Unknown.Notes for FRANCIS BUTLER: Francis Butler was married to Mr. Cousins and living in San Augustine, San Augustine ,Texas in 1966 or 1967. W.D.Butler visited with her for a short time at that location and she indicated she would soon be moving to Bee county, Texas. No information from that time is known.ii. ELAINE BUTLER, b. Unknown, Texas; d. Unknown.
6. SARAH FRANCIS6 BUTLER (COLUMBUS ASBURY5, MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born 11 Sep 1892 in Williamson Co..Texas, and died 19 Mar 1976 in Lampasas, Lampasas Co., Texas. Burial: Mar 1976, Watson Cemetery,Burnet Co. Tx. She married MARCOS WATSON 28 Oct 1912 in Briggs, Burnet Co.,Tx., son of JAMES WATSON and MARY NEVE. He was born 26 Mar 1887 in Williamson Co, Tx, and died 06 Jul 1976 in Lampasas, Lampasas Co., ,Texas. Burial: Jul 1976, Watson Cemetery,Burnet Co. Tx.
Children of SARAH BUTLER and MARCOS WATSON are: 17. i. MARCOS CLAYTON7 WATSON, b. 05 Dec 1914, Burnet Co, Tx; d. 19 Sep 1969, Lampasas,Texas. 18. ii. DURWOOD RALPH WATSON
7. BETTY6 BUTLER (COLUMBUS ASBURY5, MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born 28 Feb 1890 in Williamson Co, Tx, and died 18 Jun 1933 in Eden,Concho Co.,Tx. She married HILTON A. STEPHENS. He was born 05 Nov 1889 in Arkansas, and died 23 Jun 1955 in Brownwood,Brown Co., Tx.
Children of BETTY BUTLER and HILTON STEPHENS are: 19. i. AILEEN7 STEPHENS, b. 03 Aug 1918, Okachobia, Florida; d. 12 Oct 1980, Arlington,Virginia. 20. ii. JEAN STEPHENS
8. MARY EULALIA6 BUTLER (COLUMBUS ASBURY5, MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born 1898 in Williamson Co, Tx, and died 1986 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co.,,Tx. She married HERMAN C. CUSTARD 15 Aug 1927 in First Baptist Church Lampasas,Tx. He was born 03 Nov 1896 in Florence,Williamson Co.,Texas, and died 08 Nov 1948 in Ft. Worth, Tarrant Co.,Tx.
Children of MARY BUTLER and HERMAN CUSTARD are: i. HERMAN C. CUSTARD7 JR. 21. ii. WILLIAM A CUSTARD
9. MIMA LAURENCE6 BUTLER (COLUMBUS ASBURY5, MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born 19 May 1901 in Burnet Co, Tx, and died 09 May 1982 in Lampasas, Lampasas Co., Texas. Burial: May 1982, Mt. Moriah, Burnet Co. Tx. She married BURMON BEN FERGUSON. He was born 18 Aug 1890 in Kentucky, and died Nov 1954 in Prineville, Crook Co., Oregon.
Children of MIMA BUTLER and BURMON FERGUSON are: i. MARY ELIZABETH7 FERGUSON ii. BURMON BOB FERGUSON
10. MATTIE LEE6 BUTLER (MARTIN JAMES5, MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born Sep 1896 in Florence, Williamson Co.,,Texas, and died 27 Nov 1984 in Austin,Travis Co.,Tx. She married ULA FRANKLIN JACKSON, son of JOE JACKSON and HATTIE PURCELL. He was born 1890 in Williamson Co. Texas, and died 1933 in Florence ,Williamson Co., Texas.
Children of MATTIE BUTLER and ULA JACKSON are:
i. ULA FRANKLIN"PETE"7 JACKSONJR.; m. JOAN O.; b. 18 Nov 1925; d.
16 Feb 1993.
22. ii. SHIRLEY JEAN JACKSON
iii. MARY JOE JACKSON
11. BERTHA6 BUTLER (MARTIN JAMES5, MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born Mar 1886 in Williamson Co. Texas, and died Unknown. She married BREWER PURCELL. He was born Unknown, and died Unknown.
Children of BERTHA BUTLER and BREWER PURCELL are: i. DOROTHY LEE7 PURCELL, b. Unknown; d. 2001, Austin, Texas; m. UNKNOWN. ii. WARREN PURCELL. iii. WILLIAM BREWER PURCELL.
12. WILLIAM6 BUTLER (MARTIN JAMES5, MARTIN J.4, NEALY3, ELIAS2, CHRISTOPHERJOHN1) was born Abt. 1900 in Williamson Co. Texas, and died Abt. 1960 in Albuquerque N.M..
Notes for WILLIAM BUTLER: Shirley Jackson Hayden says her mother's brother William owned a pharmacy in Scottsdale Ariz. He had an adopted son.
Child of WILLIAM BUTLER is: i. ADOPTED SON7 BUTLER.
NOTE: More information is available on Generations 4 and 5 and may be obtained by contacting the submitter.
