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Butler Bird
Madison County
Born at Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio, and November 29, 1838. The family comes of English ancestry. In early Iife Butler Bird was identified with agricultural pursuits and in early manhood he engaged in teaching in the rural schools. For many years he was connected with general mercantile interests at Patterson and in that way formed a wide acquaintance and became a prominent factor in the development and up building of the section in which he lived. His influence was equally strong in other relations for he is a minister of the Disciples of Christ, having long been a devoted member of the church. He has put forth earnest and effective effort for the extension of the cause of Christianity and has not been denied a full harvest following the aftermath of his labors. Along still other lines Rev. Bird has contributed to the interests and welfare of his country. In 1861 he responded to the call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company D, First Iowa Cavalry, of which he became quartermaster, serving until honorably discharged because of physical disabilities. In politics he has always been a republican and has been an interested worker for the success of the party and for the benefit and up building of his city and county along many lines. He was county superintendent of public instruction in Madison County for two terms and he held the first normal institute in the county. He was also postmaster of Patterson for a number of years and in 1881 took his seat as a member of the Iowa state legislature, to which he was elected by the Republican Party for a two years' term. He has thus left the impress of his individuality upon the laws of the state and in the faithful discharge of his duty has furthered public interests. He has held an honorary life membership in the Iowa Woman's Suffrage Association because of his vote for the enfranchisement of women in the state legislature. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1859, in Madison County, Mr. Bird was united in marriage to Miss Mary Scott Graham. To Mr. and Mrs. Bird have been born five children.
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