New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-11


Nr pr,lor was horn at Undertook Landing, y. Y,
on February IL, 1o02. his mother being a neal de-
sccndant Of Oliver Cromwell He studied law with
Martin Van Buren, and began its practice in Geneva
~ Y In 1854 he came TO Ncw-lork. which he has
made his home ever since. lie married sister OF
William r. Ogden the first Mayor Of Chicago, and
wa, largely interested with Mr. ogden liz the building
Of that Young town. and in many of the Western ran
roads which began To thread the Western fields when
Chicago showed unqucstlonablc signs Of becoming
great commercial centre lie owned considerable
property In the budding town Of Toledo and a story
(, told In connection with this which illustrates Ar
Eutlcrs kndlincss Of heart and aversion to taxing
undue advantage which circumstances may have given
him over les, fortunate people When Toledo had It's
first "boom.7 the city's advance in prosperity was
somcwha, hindcrcd by various SpecuatlonS IN lots.
which held property ut OF the reach Of the poorer
classes who vent there In large numbers. When Mr.
Butler discovered this and the fact that his holdings
were not being put 10 the use of the newcomers ne
wrote 10 his agent n Toledo that or certain o'S
he would De- there to place III, lots on
the market and that every mecmlic or hborins
man should have a lot At his own CONSCIENTIOUS
valuation. Nr Butler on hand at the umc
appon ed The first person 10 apply was mason,
and when he wa, asked hi, GRAND. he said he wanted
10 buy a certain lot. When requested TO name what
be- considered fair price he complied. ana some
wha, to his surprise. Mr.. Butler said: "Ihe IotS
YOURS O'hcr people who came were treated III inc
same way. until the community was convinced tha'
Mr. Butlcr would ulhl his word. The result was
that the speculative combinations were broken The
,.oope were able 10 secure property at fair prices
and the prosperity Of the town made no. ccable adj
vance, from that time Two churches own property
In Toledo Ly the g1n OF MIR. Butler The - Francis
Xavier and the First Congregational each receiving
deeds from him about 100. and twenty years later he
gave the cry ground FOR the Industrial school
Mr.. Butler va, mainly instrumental In per'uadlnS
the state Of Indiana 70 shoulder the debt IN
CURED by the Jos, OF bond, which were held pTn-
cipauy abroad and were rendered valuclc>> at the
time the United state, Bank at Philadelphia went
UNDER dragging a number Of other banking com
panics with 10.
1t was hi, pleasure at times 10 invest money
In loans to farmers but he always required iniorna
ton Of what the money was To be u,cd for. II 1t
Wa not for worthy object he would not lend
Among those who applied to him for loan was
farmer in Western New York, who wrote THAI he dc
sired to publish some writing, which he had found.
called New Bible Mr.. Butler refused the money
for such purpose. The farmer took tn, refusal
good naturedly. saying that he would try 10 get the
money elsewhere, and would send 20 Mr.. Butler
copy Of the book when published. True t. his word,
he forwarded some time aiterwar Il copy Of the book.
which was the celebrated Mormon Bible.
Mr. Butler has enjoyed the friendship Of number
Of famous He has the works of Thomas Carlyle
presented TO him by the author. lie met Mr. Carlyle
In England and found that he did not to have
a very good opinion OF America. which Was due to the
apparent decrease IN value of certain bond, Of rail
roads in this country which he held. lie was per
suadcd 10 place them In the hand, Of Mr. Butler, who
told him that he might possibly better Mr.. Carlyle,
opinion Of the Americans ly Wise management he
wa, able when closing up his account with Mr..
received most graceful acknoW Judgment from hi,
English friend, VINO admitted that hi, cstIlate OF
T,.F.f an
diced. Mr.. Butler Is u friend Of James Anthony
Froudc. the historian and has entertained at h>
country house Matthew Arnold. when he visited this
country. lie WAS one OF the reception committee
when greeted the Marquis die Lalyctt. When he made
a triumphant tour al tnc lmtcd state, in lea.
The connection of Mr. Butler with the University 81
the city Of Nc" York began almost 1T It, foundation
lie elected u member OF the Council December
Ia. 1850. within sA years after the nrst council
chosen aud the university organized. Not of his
corporation almost continuously since 1872 with the
exception ot few icars after sol. when he resigned
to 90 abroad Ills family Is eminent In the history Of
the university Ills brother. Benjamin Franklin Butler
distinguished lawyer, and Attorney General OF tho
founded the law school Of the university. Ills
nephew. william Allen Butler. well known ia liter.
service 60 in the Council III SON. IN P0 Nbra
ham ogden BntIcr made brilliant record
pction Of Mr. Cutters nficth wear eff contnnmus SER
vice H. the university, concentration was held In tho
university building December 49, l,s6 which was at
tended by many men OF prominence. and speeches
were made by MI Butlcr John r.. Parsons vice Chan.
cellor MacCrackcn. Justice Van Bmnt The Rev Dr.
Hitchcock. Whitclaw Reid. the Rev. DR.. Howard
The Union fhcoosea seminary has been blessed
with his attachment from is foundation His namo
start tho seminary and he was elected director on
since and has been the president of the board for many
Years ThG tuTn iH point IN the scminarys history
- East Fourteenth ST.. the evening OF February
o, 1852. when movement was started to secure an
uStitutlOn was bc1Oc long placed foundation.