A prominent and well-known man of Marion County, Arkansas, is Gus Butler, who since 1920 has been serving as county and circuit clerk. A native of Marion County, he was born at Flippin, on the 23d of January 1892, a son of H. C. and Amanda V. (Noe) Butler, likewise natives of Marion County, this state. The paternal grandfather, J. A. Butler, was a native of Tennessee ad after the Civil war, in which he fought as a member of the Confederate army, he came overland to Marion County, in 1869. He was a minister and securing a homestead in the county preached throughout the vicinity for many years but in 1896 removed to Texas, where he bought land ad resided thereon until his death in 1908, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was active in the ministry up to the time of his demise. His wife was Agnes Crow, who traced her descent to the Crow Indians. She was a native of Tennessee ad was left an orphan in early life. The maternal grandfather, A. J. Noe was a native of Kentucky and was one of the original white settlers of Marion county, coming to this country when deer, elk, antelope, and other game were plentiful and when there were but few dwellings scattered over the now populous country. Locating in Yellville, he engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes and became one of the leading figures in the development and improvement of the community. Its popularity is evidenced by the fact that for twenty-five continuous years he was postmaster of Yellville. His demise occurred at the age of sixty-seven years. H. C. Butler was born in Marion County, Arkansas, in 1862 and died in 1914, at the age of fifty-one years. He resided in Arkansas throughout his life and won prominence as a merchant both in Summit and Flippin. For three years he conducted a store at the former place and for five years in Flippin, where he served as justice of the peace. Mr. Butler made his home in Yellville, where he was also active in the office of justice of the peace. His political allegiance was given to the Democratic Party and fraternally he was a Mason, being a member of the blue lodge. Mrs. Butler was born in 1866. To their union were born five children: Virgie, who is deceased; Ellen, the wife of R. L. Hayes, a merchant of Yellville; Gus, the subject of this review; Elbert, engaged in the produce business at Flippin; and Maud, who is the wife of W. R. Talburt, a general merchant of Flippin.
In the acquirement of an education Gus Butler attended the schools of Yellville and after graduating from the high school there with the class of 1908 he made his initial step into the business world as a clerk in his father’s store. He remained in that connection for some time ad had then for years taught school in Marion County. Mr. Butler was appointed deputy county clerk and for four years served to the best of his ability in that office. In 1920 he was elected as county and circuit clerk, in which offices he is active at the present time. Through his energy and persistence, Mr. Butler has gained the confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has been brought into contact and he is justly accounted among the highly honored citizens of Marion County.
In 1912 occurred the marriage of Mr. Butler to Miss Jessie Flippin a daughter of T. H. Flippin, extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. Three children have been born to their union: Mary, Nelson and Augusta, all at home.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Butler has been a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party, having a firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. For some time he was a justice of the peace of Flippin, which office was held by his father before him. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he has been a steward in that church for years. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, having membership in the blue lodge of the latter order. Mr. Butler takes an active part in any movement tending to elevate the moral, intellectual or social welfare of the community and is indeed a representative citizen. |