History of Deerfield, (Rockingham County) New Hampshire United States of America

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Biographies:

Josiah Butler, jurist, was born in Pelham, N. H., in 1779. He graduated at Harvard college with honor in 1803, studied law, and was admitted to practice about 1807. In 1809 he was elected a member of the legislature from Deerfield, and became a leading member of the Democratic party. He was appointed sheriff of the county of Rockingham in 1810, and was removed from office in 1813 by the ascendant Federalist party and resumed the practice of his profession. He was clerk of the court of common pleas, and in 1815 was returned a member of the state legislature, and again elected in 1816. He was elected a representative to the 15th Congress in 1816, and was re-elected to the 16th and 17th congresses. In 1825 he was appointed by Governor Morrill associate justice of the State court of common pleas of New Hampshire, remaining on the bench until 1833, when the court was abolished. He died at Deerfield, N. H., Oct. 29, 1854.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Wentworth S. Butler, librarian, was born in Deerfield, N. H., in 1826; son of Josiah Butler. He was graduated at Dartmouth in 1848. From 1850 to 1853 he pursued a course in theology with a view to holy orders. In 1855 Mr. Butler became temporary assistant to the librarian of the New York society library, and remained until the spring nf 1856, when he superintended the removal of the library to the new building in University place, and on the resignation of Mr. MacMullen, the librarian, Mr. Butler was elected to the vacant office. The collection of books known as the "Publick Library," from its foundation in 1700 by the Earl of Bellomont, was merged in the New York society library, which was organized in 1754, and a royal charter was soon after granted to the consolidated institution by King George III. The membership of the library corporation, from its foundation, embraced members of the oldest families of New York, and many of the shares have descended in the same families from 1754 and 1790. Among its trustees before the Revolution were the Rt. Hen. James DeLancey, governor of the province, its first chairman in 1754; the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty, rector of Trinity church; Chancellor Livingston; and after the revolution, the Baron von Steuben, Edward Livingston, Gulian C. Verplanck, Bishop Wainright, Washington Irving, Frederick de Peyster, and other distinguished men. Mr. Butler was personally instrumental in securing an endowment for the library of $70,000, and in 1880 had been successful in obtaining $71,000 in gifts and bequests. After forty years' service he retired from the active duties of librarian, and was made librarian emeritus by the shareholders at their annual meeting in 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor