Butterfield, Frederick David
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MILITARY SERVICE Age: 23, credited to Derby, VT Unit(s): 8th VT INF Service: comn 2LT, Co. B, 8th VT INF, 12/19/61 (12/19/61), pr 1LT, 6/15/63 (7/2/63), pr CPT, 11/7/63 (12/5/63), m/o 8/6/64 See Legend for expansion of abbreviations VITALSBirth: 05/14/1838, Rockingham, VT Death: 07/12/1918 Burial: Derby Line Cemetery, Derby, VT Marker/Plot: Not recorded Gravestone photographer: Carolyn Adams Findagrave Memorial #: 74685158 MORE INFORMATION Alias?: None noted Pension?: Yes, 4/8/1865; widow Ellen G. C., 8/16/1920, VT Portrait?: VHS Collections, MOLLUS College?: Not Found Veterans Home?: Not Found (If there are state digraphs above, this soldier spent some time in a state or national soldiers' home in that state after the war) Remarks: 8th Vt. History off-site, Died in Los Angeles, CA DESCENDANTS (Are you a descendant, but not listed? Register today) |
BURIAL: Copyright notice  Derby Line Cemetery, Derby, VT Check the cemetery for location/directions and other veterans who may be buried there. |
Biography
Butterfield, Frederick David, of Derby Line, son of David and Elmira Ward (Randall) Butterfield, was born in Rockingham, May 14, 1838.
He was educated at the common schools and the Saxtons River Academy. Choosing a practical business education rather than a college course, he, at the early age of sixteen entered the hardware house of A. & J. H. Wentworth of Bellows Falls. In 1859 he removed to Derby Line and became connected with the house of Foster & Cobb.
At the breaking out of the rebellion he gave up his business prospects and entered the Union army, enlisting as a private in Co. B, 8th Vt. Vols., and was successively promoted to 2d lieutenant, 1st lieutenant and captain. The original term of service for the regiment expired June 1, 1864; Col. Butterfield however remained in service some time thereafter, but after his campaigns in Louisiana and Texas, he became so utterly broken in health that an immediate return to the North was the only means of saving his life. He accordingly resigned his commission August 6, 1864. Early in 1862 he was detached from his regiment and appointed to a position in the signal corps, where he remained during the balance of his military service. In the capacity of a signal officer he was attached to the personal staff of General Godfrey Weitzel, General Butler, General Franklin and General Dana. At the battle of Labadieville, La., while carrying an order under a terrific fire he had his horse shot from under him by a shell from the enemy, narrowly escaping instant death. For his gallantry on this occasion he was complimented in general orders. His services were highly appreciated in the signal corps.
In 1888 he was appointed an aide-de-camp with the rank of colonel on the staff of Gov. William P. Dillingham. On his return from the army he engaged in business at Derby Line until 1866, when he was appointed deputy collector of customs for that port, which office he retained until 1872 when he resigned to engage in the manufacture of the Reece sewing machine. On account of the panic of 1873-75, this business failed of success, and in 1879 he commenced the manufacture of taps and dies. Beginning with a small force of men, by careful and painstaking efforts, he gradually built up a large and important industry. The works are located at Derby Line, with a second complete plant at Rock Island, P. Q. The firm is known as Butterfield & Co., and they manufacture taps and dies and tools for engineers' and steam fitters' use. In 1888 his younger brother, Gen. F. G. Butterfield, became associated with him in business.
Colonel Butterfield is a member of Golden Rule Lodge, F. & A.M., of Stanstead, Canada, a member of Golden Rule R. A. C. at Sherbrooke, a member of Sussex Preceptory Knights Templar of Stanstead, of which he has been Eminent Commander. Is a member of Baxter Post, G.A.R., at Newport, a charter member of the Vermont Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, U. S.; a member of the Vermont Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and numerous other military and social organizations.
At Stanstead, P. Q., Oct. 8, 1868, he married Ellen Jeannette Morrill, daughter of Ozro and Charlotte Juliette (Way) Morrill, who died July 5, 1874, leaving two daughters: Charlotte, and Ellen.Source: Jacob G. Ullery, compiler, Men of Vermont: An Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of Vermont, (Transcript Publishing Company, Brattleboro, VT, 1894), Part II, pp. 54.
8th Vermont Infantry Regimental History
Obituary
COLONEL BUTTERFIELD BORN IN VERMONT
Col. Frederick D. Butterfield, who was born in Vermont, died July 12 at Pasadena, Cal., the following notice of his death being from the Pasadena Star-News of July 12:
"Col. Frederick D. Butterfield, pioneer businessman of the Southland, died last night at his home at 1425 Fair Oaks avenue, South Pasadena, after an illness of 10 days. He was 80 years of age and well known all over Southern California.
Col. Butterfield has been a resident of California for a quarter of a century, coming here from Vermont. He was a manufacturer most of his life, going from the retail hardware business into the making of Reede sewing machines, then in the manufacture of taps and dies, doing a large business under the name of Butterfield & Co. At one time he was vice-president of the A. V. Stuart & company of Ripon. At the time of his death, he was president of the Los Angeles Land and Water company. He served with the Eighth Vermont Volunteers in the Civil War, being made a captain and later a colonel in the signal corps. He was a prominent Mason.
Col. Butterfield is survived by a daughter, Charlotte V. Butterfield, and a brother, Charles W. Butterfield, the latter of Bellows Falls. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at three o'clock at the late residence. Friends are asked to kindly omit flowers. Cremation will be private.
Col. Butterfield was a member of the Vermont Society, Sons of the American Revolution."
Source: Rutland News, August 7, 1918.
Courtesy of Tom Boudreau.