The William Butler Family came from the State of Ohio. He was married to the former Martha Blizzard. A son, William, was born in Ohio August 10, 1869, and came to Franklin County when he was eighteen years of age. He attended White School where he met Rosetta Kirk, born 1878 in Spring Garden Township. Her parents were William Gabriel Kirk and Jane Randall Kirk. The Kirks came from the State of Tennessee.

William and Rosetta were married in October 1897. He ran a saw mill for a while, then retired from the coal mines after twenty two years, then spent thirty two years on the railroad. They were the parents of six children:

1. Roy, born 1898, deceased 1975;
2. Sebe, born 1900;
3. Nola, born 1903;
4. Randall, born 1907, deceased 1963;
5. Ward, born 1912; and
6. Robert, born 1916.

Mrs. Rosetta Butler (Kirk) grandfather donated land for Non-denominational Church in the Woods (where Sherwood Camping is today) and Kirk Cemetery August 15, 1891. The first burial was Mary Kirk 1841 before this land was donated by the Kirks.

Rosetta tells of a bit of fun back in those days of riding the first passenger train through Ina to the Franklin County Fair stopping at the Franklin County Line. Rosetta still has a bit of humor today, being our oldest citizen, now 99. She is fairly active, very alert. Of course her eyes aren't quite as good nor her hearing either. Her son Sebe lives with her, and Nola lives close by to help her up every day seeing that her meals are right there on schedule as she wants them. We all love Mom Butler, and want her around for many more years to come
- Sebe Butler

*NOTE* Some ommisions may have occured to protect living individuals.

"Facts and Folks A History of Jefferson County, Illinois"
Jefferson County Historical Society
Printed by Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, TX Page 107
Submitted by Sandy Whalen Bauer