James Edward Butler
American justice activist, planter, and merchant (1843–1913)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Edward Butler (May 20, 1843 – July 23, 1913) was an American justice of the peace, planter, and merchant in Alabama.
Butler was born May 20, 1843, in Poplar Ridge, Alabama, the son of Canada Butler.[1][2] He served in the Confederate Army, was captured in 1864, and was held at Camp Chase in Ohio until 1865.[1] He married Nancy Jane Nichols, and they had several children. Their son William Edward Butler served in the Alabama Senate in 1919 and 1920.[2]
He was a witness for Joseph Wheeler in the investigation of the November 2, 1880, election contested by William M. Lowe.[3]
After the civil war he entered business in New Hope, Alabama, running a large general supply store for years, and by the time of his death he was the head of the Butler-Kyser Oil Company.[4] He had also been in the common trade and in 1909 sold 3000 bales worth $141,000, (~$3.51 million in 2024), which was a large sale for the time.[5] He was not new to large sales of cotton, with previous sales being noted in 1904 of 1400 bales[6] and in 1906 of 1300 bales.[7]
Butler died at home in New Hope on July 23, 1913, after being taken ill whilst at a Confederate reunion a few weeks earlier, followed by rapid deterioration of health.[1][4] He was survived by his wife and eight children, five daughters and three sons.[4] His final will had been made days before his death whilst sick, and his estate was estimated to be around $350,000 (~$8.15 million in 2024).[8] James Edward Butler was the uncle of Samuel Riley Butler, who served as the county superintendent of education and was the namesake of the S. R. Butler High School.[4]
