History of Butler

Otter Tail County plat book map of Butler Township, 1912.

Butler Township

Butler Township was officially organized in July 1883. It is located about 15 miles north of New York Mills, Minnesota, on Otter Tail County Road Hwy 67. The Township is named after Stephen Butler, an Otter Tail County deputy sheriff, who also served as the county treasurer for 16 years. Petitioners wanted to name the township Red Eye, for the river that runs through the area, but Wadena County had already claimed the name.

In 1890, Butler township’s population numbered 179. The first settlers included immigrants from Holland, Belgium, and Germany, as well as those of American birth. The township became known as a settling ground for a Dutch Colony in 1910. At the 2010 census, the population was 283, and several descendants of the first settlers still lived in the township.

Johnston Stock & Farming Co. employment report, 1910.

Johnston Stock & Farming Co.

The Johnston Land Company was instrumental in bringing the Hollanders to Butler Township. After having taken the good trees in the Butler area for lumber, the company wanted to sell the land.

The company promised cheap land that, when cleared, would be ideal for raising tobacco. To promote farming in the area, they built a modern dairy farm with a large stock barn, a general store, and creamery.

The Dutch settlers helped make Otter Tail County one of the largest dairyproducing areas at that time.

What remains of the Johnston Stock & Farming Co. stock barn in 2021.

“Johanna Van Erp and Catherine (Van Erp) Lachowitzer,” mixed media collage.

Post Office & Store

The Butler post office was established in the fall of 1897. Butler had no rural delivery service, so people went there to pick up the mail, shop, and visit. It was located inside the Butler store until about 1953 when the mail was then handled directly from New York Mills.

Sunday at the Butler store was a community tradition. The store, built in 1898, served as a gathering place for people throughout the years. Some came to buy, and some came just to talk. Eventually, better roads and the automobile made it easier for people to go to New York Mills or Perham for their purchases.

The Butler store on a Sunday afternoon, 1913.

22 “Johanna Van Erp and Boyd School in Sisseton, South Dakota,” mixed media collage.

School Districts

None of the Hollanders arriving in 1910 could speak English. However, they eventually learned the language and sent their children to one of three one-room schoolhouses; Bear Creek School District #165, or School District #228 or #263.

Because there were no school buses, some students had to walk up to four miles to school. The teachers boarded in the student’s homes. It is said that school children would bring raw potatos from home and put them in the ashbox. The potatos would be cooked and ready to eat at lunch time.

Around 1953, the one-room schools were consolidated and Butler students were bused into New York Mills.

School District #263, Class of 1912.

“George Boogaard (on left),” mixed media collage.

Bear Lake

In the northwestern part of the Butler settlement, you will find Bear Lake. The lake area was abundant with wildlife for hunters and trappers. The Dutch settlers caught fish from the lake, including crappies, northern pike, and largemouth bass.

Bear Lake was the place to be for fishing, boating, and swimming. It was also used for ice harvesting in the winter months, before electricity came to the area in 1939.

Bear Lake, 2021.

Making ice on Bear Lake for the Butler store.