Richard Butler (publisher)

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Richard Butler, born: 11 November 1834 at Coteau du Lac, Lower Canada. died: 16 March 1925. Buried in Hamilton Cemetery. Editor, publisher, journalist and U.S. vice-consul in Hamilton, Ontario.^[1]

Managed to secure job with the Montreal Herald when he was just twelve years of age to help his mother raise family that included 3 siblings after his father died suddenly from serving military time for the British 24th Foot Regiment stationed in Canada. His experience working for newspapers continued after the family moved to London, Ontario where he found work there for the London Free Press. Also gained experience in Hamilton working at the Journal and Express office, all this before the age of 16. Then he moved to the United States in 1852 at the age of seventeen working in Rochester, New York for the Rochester Union. 1854 returned back to Hamilton where he helped out with the formation of a Union for the printers. By 1859 he had worked his way up to an assistant foreman at The Christian Advocate.

In 1870 bought a newspaper in Aberlin, Ohio which proved to be a mistake and three years later found a buyer. Shortly after became city editor of the Burlington Hawkeye, in Burlington, Iowa. Eventually moved to Illinois where he bought the Clinton Public, where he was editor and publisher for twenty-five years.

In 1897, after he sold the Public returned back to Hamilton once again where he was appointed the position of U.S. vice-consul in the City, a position he held there for eighteen years. At the same time was employed by the newspaper in town, the Hamilton Spectator, and wrote a column on the history of Hamilton for the Saturday edition of the paper called, 'Saturday Musings.' The column appeared under the pen name of 'The Muser.'

[edit] Tribute

The Butler neighbourhood on the Hamilton Mountain named after him. It is bounded by Stone Church Road East (north), Rymal Road East (south), Upper Wentworth Street (west), Upper Sherman Street (east). Landmarks in this neighbourhood include St. Jean de Brebeuf High School and Billy Sherring Park.