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WILLIAM BUTLER, M. D., of Maine village, is the oldest practitioner of medicine in Broome county. He was born in the town of Lyndeborough, Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, April 22d, 1805. He was the son of Jonathan Butler and Mrs. Lois Kidder Butler and the youngest of twelve children, all of whom are now dead but himself. His father, Jonathan Butler, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. Dr. Butler took a thorough course in classics in Greenfield Academy, New Hampshire, after which a full medical course, graduating at Dartmouth College, taking his degree of M. D. in 1830. The same year, when twenty-four years of age, he came to Broome county and located a half mile below Maine village, but subsequently moved into the village, where he has been since that time. On the 30th of March, 1830, he was married to Miss Nancy Smith, who bore him four chiidren, all of whom are now dead save Dr. William Morris Butler, now of Brooklyn, N. Y. His first wife died April 11th, 1850, and on the 22d of October, 1850, he was married to Ximenia Payne. Dr. Butler began practice in the town of Maine in 1830, and for a period of fifty-five years has diligently followed his profession. During the entire period of his medical career his practice covered a vast extent of territory, over which he rode on horseback a number of years; and for one who has been engaged so long in so arduous a calling he may be considered more than ordinary strong and vigorous. Dr. Butler is the oldest member of the Broome County Medical Society now living. He has been a member and official of the Presbyterian Church for a period of over thirty-five years, and in other and various spheres in which he has been called to act, Dr. Butler has filled his place prominently and well, and is to-day properly regarded by his fellow townsmen as one of the most worthy and respected citizen of Broome county.
