The morning call., 1891-08-13

shoS NOhOidi DuIict ultu Uu DUdIu Ills Yacht
AN early hour this morning.
Benjamin Franklin Butler. son of Cap
tain John and Charlotte (Elson) Butler
was BORN in Deerfield, Rockingham County,
n. H., on November 8. 1878 His father
Light Dragons. in the war of 1912. and
served under General Jackson at New Or
leans, and his grandfather, Captain
Zephaniah Butler, fought under General
Wolfe at Quebec in 1853.
The district school helped him to many
things taught from books until he
was years old. when he entered Phillips
Academy at Exeter. At that time his
mother removed to Lowell with
her boys. Here Benjamin entered the
High School, where he prepared himself
for college. He was graduated from
Maine, in the class of 1888. His fertile mind
was not content with what he learned from
books. OF phenomenally quick perception,
and memory that pige0n-holed the most mi
mute detail. he had acquired fund of classi-
fed knowledge of the world that later on
stood him in good stead.
lie studied law with William Smith for
Two years, when he was admitted to the
bar, upon examination, in September, 1910,
and began practice in Lowell at once
Much of myth and legend is connected
with the first years of this young lawyer.
but the results of his early training and of
ms cleaning Of practical knowledge
from his first years OF court practice are too
clearly evidenced in the mature Benjamin F.
Butler. for the public to care for the truth
or the falsity of these details. Moreover,
he stands to-day too prominently before the
world, 100 well known to the American citi-
zen, TO require eulOgy or criticism. No man
has warmer friends, and no man cares less
Tor his enemies. Loyal to his client and
faithful to his friend, he never forgets the
fang stroke OF an enemey, though the venom
fail in its work.
In April, 1861, when President Lincoln
called for troops, he held the position of
Brigadier-General of Militia. On the 18th
OF that month he marched to Annapolis
with the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment
and was placed in command of the district
OF Annapolis, which included the city of
Baltimore, On the 18th of May, 1861.
he entered Baltimore, occupied the city
without opposition, and when on May 10Th
was made Major-Geueral and as
signed to the command Of For.
Eastern Virginia. Here he refused
to return to their masters some
slaves who had come within his lines, de-
clsring them to be contraband. In August
he captured Forts Hatteras and Clark. He
returned to Massachusetts for recruiting
possession of New Orleans May1 1862.
December 10, 1862, he was recalled and
near the close of 1868 was placed in COM
mand Of the Department of Virginia and
North Carolina. October. 1864, he was sent
to New York to insure quiet election. In
December he led an expedition against Fort
Fisher and soon after was removed from
his command by General Grant. In 1866 he
was elected to Congress on the Republican
ticket, serving until 1879, except one term
1857. In 1868 he was chief manager of the
impeachment of President johnson for
the House. He was an unsuccessful Repub-
lican nominee for Governor of Massa
chusetts in 1871. and in 1878 and 1879 was
the candidate of the Independent Green
back party, and one wing of the Democratic
party. but was defeated. In 1882 the Demo-
Gratis elected him Governor of Massachusetts
although he was defeated at the next
election for the same office. In 1884 he
was the candidate of the Greenback party
and the Ant-Monopolist party for the
Presidency. Since that time most of his
time has been spent in Lowell.