Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. 
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884

MORGAN COUNTY
ASHLAND TOWNSHIP
PAGE 334

BENJAMIN O. BUTTERFIELD, a wide-awake farmer, carpenter and mill-
wright, of Ashland Township, was born August 17, 1835, in Owen County,
Ind., and was the fifth of fourteen children born to Velorus and Clarissa
(Badgeley) Butterfield, natives of New York and Virginia, and of English
descent.  They settled in Owen County very early, and built a water mill,
and, selling this, they finally moved to Morgan County, and now reside here.
Benjamin O. Butterfield lived upon the farm until his sixteenth year, when he
learned the trade of millwright, and followed it for several years.  He also
worked at that for five years in Iowa, after which he returned home and 
purchased a farm.  He and his brother bought a mill near the town of Cen-
terton, in this county.  They moved this to the town, and ran it for several 
years, when it was sold.  Mr. Butterfield then purchased the farm which 
he now owns, and which consists of 139 acres, abundantly supplied with
spring water, and well-cultivated.  On September 22, 1859, Mr. Butter-
field was married to Sylvania Moser.  Three children were born to them--
Clarissa E., born November 7, 1860;  Alfarata B., November 17, 1862; 
and Georgie A., December 6, 1864, died November 6, 1865.  The mother
died on December 24, 1865.  On February 3, 1867, Mr. Butterfield mar-
ried Samantha E. (Hedrick) Reeves.  They had three children--Benjamin O., 
born November 27, 1867;  Leota M., May 8, 1869;  and Oliver P., Dec-
ember 24, 1870.  Mrs. Butterfirld was born February 20, 1839, and died
September 25, 1872.  Mr. Butterfield was next married to Mrs. Louzann
(Brown) White, on February 14, 1879.  She died June 1, 1880.  Leota
M., his daughter keeps house for him.  His wives all belonged to the Christ-
ian Church, of which he is also a member.  He is a member of the I. O. O.
F., and is very public spirited.  He is a Republican, and is noted for his
generosity.