John Ammi Butler Papers, 1853-1936


Summary Information
Title: John Ammi Butler Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1853-1936

Creator:
  • Butler, John A.
Call Number: Local History Manuscript Collection 5

Quantity: 1.3 cubic ft. (3 boxes)

Repository:
Archival Location:
Milwaukee Public Library (Map)

Abstract:
John Ammi Butler’s papers and scrapbooks. Butler was active in the civil service reform movement in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the son of Milwaukee Mayor Ammi R. R. Butler, Jr.

Note:

To request materials from this collection, create/login to your Special Collections Account.



Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.mwpl-lhmc0005
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Biography/History

John Ammi Butler was born October 14, 1851 to Ammi Ruhamah Robbins (A.R.R.) Butler and Orvilla Lurana (Tanner) Butler. He was a significant figure in the civil service reform movement in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tutored at home, John then attended Phillips Academy at Exeter. He was forced to withdraw from Yale after his sophomore year due to ill health. Butler continued his legal training at Gottingen and Leipzig Universities and earned his degree at Columbia Law School. In 1879, Butler and his father formed Butler and Butler Law Firm.

John A. Butler married Frances Louise Dana of Bangor, Maine on October 25, 1877 and had three daughters, Mary, Katharine and Frances. In 1886, he was severely injured when thrown from his horse and his doctors advised him to travel to Europe to recuperate. Accompanied by his family, Butler acted as special correspondent for the Chicago Times as well as publishing a book titled Pen Pictures of Dresden’s Past.

In 1891, Butler returned to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He quickly became closely associated with the civil service reform movement and in 1893 established the Milwaukee Municipal League. He was also involved in the National Civil Service Reform League, the National Municipal League, serving as president for eight years and the founding of City Club of Milwaukee. The Civil Service Law of Wisconsin was passed in 1905, which Butler actively advocated for many years prior. Butler developed and maintained many close friendships through his reform work. Chief among these friendships were Charles Joseph Bonaparte, the grandnephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, Clinton Rogers Woodruff, secretary of the National Civil Service Reform League and Richard Henry Dana III, son-in-law of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

In 1910, Butler resigned from the Board of the City Club. In the summer of 1913, Butler made his final trip to Europe. He remained until the advent of the Great War in 1914 forced his departure. Butler underwent the first of several operations for cancer in 1915. John A. Butler passed away on June 17, 1922 at his summer home “Crooked Lake Farm” near Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Ammi Ruhamah Robbins (A.R.R.) Butler, Jr. was born in Vermont on September 4, 1821. In 1822 his parents, Dr. Ammi Ruhama Robbins Sr. (1795-1858) and Matilda (Stone) Butler moved to Genesee County, New York; Dr. Butler was a successful physician. After passing the bar exam in 1846, A.R.R. Butler, Jr. moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He went on to become a notable and well-respected lawyer. He was elected and re-elected Milwaukee County District Attorney, became president of the Milwaukee County Bar Association and was twice elected mayor of Milwaukee in 1876 and in 1877 as a Democrat. He continued to work in the community until his death in 1901.

Dr. and Mrs. Butler, in addition to A.R.R, Jr., also had a son, Washington Irving (1834-1885) and a daughter, Elvira (1829-1861). Washington Irving Butler married Amanda Elmore (1833-1862) and one of their children was a son named Walter Percy Butler, born January 25, 1856 in Milwaukee, WI. Walter traveled extensively throughout his life working on engineering, surveying and prospecting projects including working for the United States Surveyor Office. He passed away in 1939.

Scope and Content Note

The materials in this collection are mainly the published and unpublished writings of John A. Butler, scrapbooks, newspaper articles, correspondence. Also included is one folder of miscellaneous Butler family related documents and a scrapbook with family history created by Walter Percy Butler. W.P. Butler arranged and provided the materials that appear in this album. Many of the photographs he took himself. He also hand-lettered and provided the decorative illustrations in the album The album includes images in multiple media. There are 244 black and white photographs. These photos range in size, though most are smaller than 3” x 5”. Many of the photos have been cropped to facilitate their arrangement in the album. The album contains 34 postcards. These are a standard postcard size 3½” x 5½”. The majority of the postcards are in color, though some are black and white. Also contained in the album are 35 examples of various advertising materials. Some of the materials stand on their own, but many of them look like they were cut out of souvenir pamphlets or books. Also included in the album are two sets of 24 informational cards on various missions in southern California. The cards have been glued into the album so that each side can be perused adjacent to the other. Three maps are included separately in the album, though many of the pages include small maps drawn in by W.P. Butler. Two newspaper clippings from undetermined newspapers were included. Also contained are one autograph, one poem, and one pamphlet. The photos document W.P. Butler’s travels throughout the United States between 1901 and 1911. Pages 44-45 do not exist. At the end of the scrapbook there is an appendix by the creator of the album entitled “The History of my Minneapolis and Western Album”.

Arrangement of the Materials

Subjects are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each folder. The miscellaneous family documents and scrapbook are at the end.

Preferred Citation

Butler, John Ammi, Papers, 1853-1936, Collection 5. Local History Manuscript Collections, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Related Material in the Milwaukee Public Library

John Ammi Butler : a memoir

Administrative/Restriction Information
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials. The collection is open to all in accordance with state law. The public may view Local History Manuscript Collections by appointment at the Central Library. To request an in-person appointment, create/login to your Special Collections Account. If you have any questions, please contact the Archives and Special Collections Department at mplarchives@milwaukee.gov.


Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).


Acquisition Information

The collection was donated in 1971 by Elizabeth H. Wheatland, granddaughter of John A. Butler. The formerly separated Butler family documents and the W.P Butler scrapbook were reunited with this collection in 2018. Materials were accessioned as Local History Manuscripts.


Processing Information

Arranged and described by Meghan Jensen, UW student intern, 2007. Final processing by Casey Lapworth, 2018.


Contents List
Box   1
Folder   1
"A Brief Argument in Favor of the Passage of the Corrupt Practices Act, Made Before the Committee on Privileges and Elections in the Legislature Session of 1896-1897", 1897
Box   1
Folder   2
"American Church of St. John in the City of Dresden, Saxony", 1890
Box   1
Folder   3
"An Address by John A. Butler at the People’s Pulpit", 1903
Box   1
Folder   4
"An Argument for Legislative Home Rule in Cities and Passage of Assembly Bill No. 254, Amending the Charters of the Cities of the First Class. Made before the Assembly Committee on Cities", 1899
Box   1
Folder   5
Assorted writings, undated
Box   1
Folder   6
"Brief Points on Reform for Business Men", undated
Box   1
Folder   7
"Charles J. Bonaparte", undated
Box   1
Folder   8
Club Admittance cards, 1906-1907
Box   1
Folder   9
"Consuelo", undated
Box   1
Folder   10
Correspondence – John Ammi Butler Memoir, 1923
Box   1
Folder   11
Correspondence, 1892-1912
Box   1
Folder   12
"Direct Government System versus the Merit System of Appointment to all Non-Political Offices", 1913
Box   1
Folder   13
"Free Trade", undated
Box   1
Folder   14
"Militant Citizenship", 1905
Box   1
Folder   15
"Model Civil Service Law", 1915
Box   1
Folder   16
National Civil Service Reform League, 32nd annual meeting, Invitation and program, 1912
Box   1
Folder   17
Newspaper clippings, 1877-1917
Box   1
Folder   18-19
"Origins of the Civil War", undated
Box   1
Folder   20
"Spreewald", undated
Scrapbook
Box   1
Folder   21
originals, 1886-1889
Box   1
Folder   22
photocopies, 1886-1889
Box   2
Folder   1
originals, 1892-1908
Box   2
Folder   2
photocopies, 1892-1908
Box   2
Folder   3
originals, 1895-1912
Box   2
Folder   4
photocopies, 1895-1912
Box   2
Folder   5
Miscellaneous Butler family documents, 1853, 1855, 1901
Box   3
Scrapbook, Walter Percy Butler, 1901-1911, 1936
Page   1
San Juan Mountains and Pagosa Peak in Colorado, 2 photos
Page   1
Pagosa Springs, CO, 2 photos
Page   2
San Juan mountains in Colorado
Page   2
Pagosa Springs, CO
Page   3
Postcard of Toltec Gorge, Colorado
Page   3
Small map of the Toltec Gorge District and the Whiplash Road
Page   3
Photo of Chambers Pass
Page   3
Chimney Rock, north of Pagosa Springs
Page   3
Conejos River head falls
Page   3
Looking east down the Continental Divide
Page   4
Chapson oil and gas well near Pagosa Springs, CO, 2 photos
Page   4
Federal oil well southeast of Pagosa Springs, CO
Page   4
H.M. Marple, W.P. Butler, Ed and Clara Gilmore, Marian Marple, and John Saxton at the Gilmore’s residence in Los Angeles, CA
Page   4
Minneapolis Court House and City Hall
Page   4
Marian Marple at her tent at the Redondo Tent City, CA
Page   5
Views of the Selkirk Mountains along the Canadian Pacific Railway, 3 photos
Page   5
George W. Jones home in Appleton, WI, 2 photos
Page   5
Helen Humphrey, Miss Dunning, Ella Humphrey and H.C. Humphrey at the Humphrey residence at 738 Harris St., Appleton, WI
Page   6
E.P. Jeanes and H.M. Marple on prospecting trip in Nevada, 6 photos
Page   7
E.P. Jeanes, H.M. Marple, and Marian Marple on prospecting trip in Nevada, 8 photos
Page   8
Marian Marple at a home in Long Beach, CA, 2 photos
Page   8
Birthplace of W.P. Butler at 140 5th St., Milwaukee, WI, 2 photos
Page   8
141 5th St., Milwaukee, WI, residence of W.P. Butler’s grandfather Elmore
Page   8
Portrait of W.P. Butler
Page   8
Advertisement of Hotel Schroeder, erected over the 140 5th St. address
Page   9
Various residences of W.P. Butler’s in Minneapolis: 808 4th Ave.; 427 9th St.; 808 3rd Ave.; 2214 Portland Ave.; 26 15th St., Hawthorn Plats, 5 photos
Page   10
Various residences of W.P. Butler’s in Minneapolis: 712 E. 15th St.; 620 5th Ave.; 817 4th Ave.; 309 9th St., 4 photos
Page   10
W.P. Butler’s residence in Chicago, IL at 931st St.
Page   11
Residence at 222 N. Wapello St., Ottumwa, IA
Page   11
Residence at 231 Selby Ave., St. Paul, MN
Page   11
Residence at 1716 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN
Page   11
Residence at 3245 Irving Ave., Minneapolis, MN
Page   11
Portrait of Miss M.J. Scott, cashier at Fidelity Mutual, Minneapolis
Page   12
Cabins at and near Yellville, AR, 5 photos
Page   13
Yellville, AR, 3 photos
Page   14
Morning Star and M.S. Mines in Arkansas, 3 photos
Page   15
Cabin on Main St. in Yellville, AR
Page   15
Hartford Hotel, Yellville, AR
Page   15
McIntosh Mine near Yellville, AR, 2 photos
Page   16
Views in the Ozark Mountains, AR, 5 photos
Page   17
Home of Frank Butler, 339 Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, 5 photos
Page   17
Portrait of A.R.R. Butler
Page   17
Horse, buggy, and medicine case belonging to A.R.R. Butler
Page   17
207-209 15th St., Milwaukee, WI
Page   17
Portrait of John P. McCracken
Page   18
Forest Home Cemetery offices and chapel, 4 photos
Page   18
Group portrait of W.P. Butler, Jas. Goldie, and Vic. Shuete
Page   19
Forest Home Cemetery chapel and lily pond, 4 photos
Page   20
Minnehaha Park and Falls, Minnesota, 5 photos
Page   21
Postcard of Minnehaha Falls in winter
Page   21
Minnehaha Park and Falls in winter, 5 photos
Page   22
Postcard of St. Anthony’s Falls in Minneapolis
Page   23
Minnehaha Park and Falls in winter, 2 photos
Page   23
Soldiers’ Home near Minnehaha, 2 photos
Page   23
Ft. Snelling, Minnesota, 2 photos
Page   24
Mississippi River near Ft. Snelling, 3 photos
Page   24
C.M. & St. P.R.R. tracks near Ft. Snelling
Page   25
3 postcards of Minnehaha Falls
Page   25
Postcard of Ft. Snelling
Page   25
Postcard of Soldiers’ Home, Minnesota
Page   25
Bridge below Minnehaha Falls
Page   26
Views along the bluffs of the Mississippi River, 5 photos
Page   27
Twin Falls, 2 photos
Page   27
Shadow Falls
Page   27
St. Anthony’s Falls, Minneapolis, 2 photos
Page   28-29
2 panoramic views of Minneapolis along the banks of the Mississippi River
Page   30
Lake Street Bridge, Minneapolis
Page   30
Washington Avenue Bridge, Minneapolis
Page   30
Head gates and lock on dam across Mississippi, Minneapolis
Page   30
Looking up and down the Mississippi from the Lake Street Bridge, 2 photos
Page   31
C.M. & St. P.R.R. Shoreline Bridge
Page   31
Postcard of the C.M. & St. P.R.R. Shoreline Bridge
Page   31
Franklin Avenue Bridge
Page   31
Postcard of the Franklin Avenue Bridge
Page   31
Postcard of the Sibley House near Ft. Snelling
Page   32
Philpott Farm outside Ottumwa, IA, including photos of Herbert, Rome, and Kathy Smith; Dr. and Mrs. Philpott, 7 photos
Page   33
Dr. Philpott, Milton Cooper, and W.P. Butler prospecting for shale on the Philpott Farm, 5 photos
Page   34
W.P. Butler with surveying equipment at Philpott farm
Page   34
The Oaks Hotel at Clear Lake, IA
Page   34
Views of Clear Lake in Iowa, 2 photos
Page   35
Photo and autograph of then-Captain Richmond Pearson Hobson, Medal of Honor recipient for his actions in the Spanish-American War
Page   35
Newspaper clipping about Hobson’s visit to Clear Lake
Page   35
Dr. and Mrs. Philpott at Clear Lake, 2 photos
Page   35
Views of Clear Lake in Iowa, 2 photos
Page   36
Views of Lake Como in St. Paul, MN, 5 photos
Page   37
2 postcards of Como Park, St. Paul, MN
Page   37
Views of Como Park, St. Paul, MN, 5 photos
Page   38
Views at Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, MN, 5 photos
Page   39
Entries to Lakewood cemetery, Minneapolis, MN, 2 photos
Page   39
Interlachen Blvd., Edina, MN, 2 photos
Page   39
Views of Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, MN, 2 photos
Page   40
Views and inhabitants of Nogales, AZ, 9 photos
Page   41
Exterior and interior of 453 S Hope St., Los Angeles, CA, 4 photos
Page   41
1021 Florida St., Los Angeles, CA
Page   41
Hope Street Hill in Los Angeles
Page   41
Postcard of California Hospital, Los Angeles
Page   41
Postcard of Shasta Springs, CA
Page   42
Ye Alpine Tavern on Mt. Lowe near Los Angeles, 2 photos
Page   42
Marian Marple, H.M. Marple, George W. Scarberry, and W.P. Butler ascending Mt. Lowe
Page   42
Views of Mt. Lowe, 3 photos
Page   43
Insert with copy of text from poem "Dawn on Mount Lowe" by James G. Clark
Page   43
Party reaching and on the summit of Mt. Lowe, 4 photos
Page   43
2 postcards of Mt. Lowe
Page   46
Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, 2 photos
Page   46
Portrait of W.P. Butler
Page   46
Portrait of W.P. Butler’s aunt Flora B. Thomas
Page   46
Group portrait of Butler Family from Butler Family reunion in River Forest, IL: Alex George Harper, Mary Butler Harper, Adeline Harper, Gertrude H. Harper, Robert D. Harper, Walter George Harper, William Frederik Butler, Frank Dewit Butler, Katharine J. Butler, Walter Percy Butler, Katharine Butler, Stella Maria Butler, Charles A. Butler, Eva Riley Butler, Dorothy Butler, George Y. Wilkinson, Fannie Butler Wilkinson, and John Butler Wilkinson
Page   46
List of what happened to various members of Butler Family by
Page   47
Advertising images of Minneapolis, 7 images
Page   48
Minneapolis, 10 images
Page   49
Ft. Snelling, 3 images
Page   49
Minnehaha Park and Falls, 7 images
Page   50
Lake Minnetonka, MN, 5 images
Page   50
Calhoun Boulevard, 2 images
Page   50
Postcard of Bridge Square, Minneapolis
Page   50
Postcard of Hotel Radisson, Minneapolis
Page   51
Copper prospecting trip to Parry Sound, Ontario, 7 photos
Page   52
Aerial bridge over ship canal in Duluth, MN, 2 postcards
Page   52
Postcard of Thunder Cape near Port Arthur, Ontario
Page   52
Postcard of McKay’s Mountain near Port Arthur
Page   52
Postcard of Kakabeka Falls, Port Arthur
Page   53
Postcard of Algoma Hotel, Port Arthur
Page   53
Postcard of grain elevator, Port Arthur
Page   53
Enterprise Lake, WI, 2 photos
Page   54
Portrait of Selma Nelson of Minneapolis
Page   54
Postcard of Calhoun Boulevard, Minneapolis
Page   54
Postcard of Interlachen Drive near Lake Calhoun
Page   54
View of Lake Harriet Pavilion, Minneapolis
Page   54
Home of John McCracken at 3248 Oakland Ave., Minneapolis
Page   55
Flooding in Calexico, CA and Mexicala, Mexico, 6 photos
Page   56
4 postcards of State Capitol Building in Minneapolis
Page   56
Postcard of Indian mounds in St. Paul
Page   57
Large bell at Mission San Gabriel, CA
Page   58
The back of the informational cards displayed on pg. 59
Page   59
Informational cards for the missions San Diego de Alcala, San Juan Capistrano, San Luis Rey de Francia, San Gabriel Arcangel, San Antonio de Pala, and Nuestra Senora Reina de Los Angeles
Page   60
The back of the informational cards displayed on pg. 61
Page   61
Informational cards for the missions San Fernando Rey de Espana, Santa Ynez, San Buenaventura, La Purissima Concepcion, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
Page   62
The back of the informational cards displayed on pg. 63
Page   63
Informational cards for the missions San Miguel Arcangel, San Carlos Borromeo del Carmelo de Monterey, San Antonio de Padua, San Carlos de Monterey, La Soledad, San Juan Bautista
Page   64
The back of the informational cards displayed on pg. 65
Page   65
Informational cards for the missions Santa Cruz, San Francisco de Assisi (Dolores), San Jose de Guadalupe, San Rafael Arcangel, Santa Clara de Assisi, San Francisco Solano (Sonoma)
Page   66
Map showing locations of the missions in California
Page   66
Newspaper clipping on missions
Page   66
Pamphlet "El Camino Real" by Jean Terry France
Page   66
Postcard of El Camino Real
Page   67
Tourists at summit of cable-incline railway at Mt. Lowe
Page   68
Fullerton Oil Co. in Brea Canyon, CA, 5 photos
Page   68
Map of Fullerton Oil Co. property in Brea Canyon
Page   69
People and buildings at the Marple residence at Fullerton Oil Co. in Brea Canyon, 7 photos
Page   70
Snow bank at Corona, CO
Page   70
George Y. Wilkinson residence at 618 Menlo Blvd., Milwaukee Public Library
Page   70
Charles C. Butler residence at 1617 Cook St., Denver, CO
Page   70
Group portrait of Charles Cicero Butler, Walter Percy Butler, Etta C. Butler, Emma Butler on porch of Charles Butler residence, Denver
Page   70
Baby portrait of Helen Armand Delille Poncelle