Rutland

BUTLER, Fred Mason

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 51-52 
(portrait p 51)

Fred Mason BUTLER, of Rutland [Rutland County, Vermont], was born 28 May 1854 
in Jamaica [Windham County, Vermont], son of Aaron and Emeline (MUZZEY) 
BUTLER. His great grandfather, Aaron BUTLER, settled in Jamaica about the 
time of the close of the Revolutionary war. His grandfather, Aaron, with the 
assistance of his brothers (their father having died while he was an infant), 
made a clearing in the forest and erected a frame house in place of the log 
cabin. Aaron Mason BUTLER, the father of the subject of this sketch, was a 
prosperous farmer, and held at different times nearly all of the most 
important town offices.

Fred Mason BUTLER was educated in the public schools of Jamaica and at Leland 
and Gray Seminary. Before leaving school he had resolved upon a professional 
career, and began the study of law with Jonathan G. EDDY, Esq., of Jamaica, 
and afterward spent a year and a half in the office of Hon. E. L. WATERMAN 
and Hon. H. H. WHEELER. He was admitted to the Windham County bar at the 
March term of court, 1877, and during the same summer entered into a 
copartnership with Hon. Joel C. BAKER of Rutland, which was discontinued at 
the end of a year. He then practiced alone for a time, but early in 1879 he 
formed a copartnership with Hon. L. W. REDINGTON, which arrangement continued 
six years. In 1884 he formed a partnership with Hon. Thomas W. MOLONEY, 
which continues at the present time.

Mr. BUTLER was attorney for [names of cases omitted] and many other important 
cases which an examination of the Vermont Report will disclose. Republican; 
has been town grand juror and city attorney; held the position of city 
attorney until he was appointed judge of the municipal court; and was 
successively re-appointed to that office by Govs. DILLINGHAM, PAGE, and 
FULLER. Upon the organization of the city government, he was appointed judge 
of city court, which office he now holds.

On 25 November 1875 he [Fred Mason BUTLER] married Lillian, daughter of 
Josiah and Octavia (KNIGHT) HOLTON of Dummerston [Windham County, Vermont], 
and has three children: Anza, Helen, and Florence. Mr. BUTLER has been a 
director of the New England Fire Insurance Company since its organization, 
and obtained the charter of the corporation from the Legislature. He became 
a member of the Rutland Bar Association when he established himself in 
Rutland; and is also a member of the Vermont Bar Association, having served 
on several of its important committees.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly