Jerry and Linda Butler

Austin Butler was born in Walker Co. AL in 1858. He was born on land acquired through a land patent purchased by his father, James M. Butler. The family lived in Walker County a short time before moving on in 1861 to northern Alabama. Austin's youngest sister Virgie was born near Tuscumbia in 1862.

By 1870, the family had made its way to Decatur Co. TN. Austin's step sister, George Anna Bishop was married in Decatur County in 1871. Family tradition is that the family was on its way west to Arkansas and stopped along the way in Decatur County and decided to stay. In 1876, Austin, along with his brothers Columbus and Patrick, borrow money from Davy, Torbit & Co. of Point Pleasant to finance their cotton crop on rented land in Decatur County. Austin's oldest half brother, Thomas, is found living in Decatur County in the 1880 census. Austin's half brother, John Wesley and half sister, Sarah Emily, are found in southeast Missouri in 1880. Austin's half brother, James M. is found in Madison Co. TN in 1880. John, Sarah and James all later move to northeast Arkansas.

In 1883, Austin married Millie Alice Ivey, daughter of John Jasper Ivey and Mary Ellender Orr. The Ivey and Orr families were well established in Decatur County when the Butler family arrived around 1870. Austin and Millie did not own any land but were farmers in Decatur County and worked hard to provide for their 10 surviving children. The family lived at several different places in Decatur County. In the early 1900's, they lived on the Ed Renfroe Road near the Mt. Nebo Methodist Church. Austin worked for a while as a "mule skinner" at a mule powered cotton gin that was located near the Red House Inn and owned by W. H. Martin. Austin had the reputation of being able to tame any hard to handle mule by working them on the cotton gin. Local farmers would bring their mules to Austin for encouragement of a more productive disposition. In 1908, a large hail storm struck the area, destroying the roof of the Mt. Nebo Church. Family tradition has it that several roosting chickens were killed in the trees by this hail storm at the nearby Butler home.

Later, the family lived at the Lacy place near Campground Church and off Pritchard Lane between Utah Community and Decaturville. Pritchard Lane was flooded when Kentucky Lake was constructed on the Tennessee River. Austin died in 1918 at home off Pritchard Lane. Local newspapers record the winter of 1917-1918 as one of the coldest and having one of the heaviest snow falls of record. After his death, the family carried his body by mule and wagon to the Ivey Cemetery for burial. This was a long day's journey on the poor roads at that time. Alice continued to live in Decatur County until 1947 when she died leaving a legacy of 31 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Alice is buried beside Austin at the Ivey Cemetery.

Sources: William Carl Butler, Jr., Lela Butler Keeton, Margie Blount Smith, Carolyn Butler Flanagan, Betty Butler Maness, The History of Decatur County, Past and Present, Lillye Younger, 1977, Carter Publishing Company, Southhaven, Mississippi, page 96.