John Butts. Few more pronounced studies in contrast are available among the agriculturists of Miami county than that presented in the career of John Butts. Mr. Butts twentieth century status is represented by the ownership of 106 acres of valuable land in Newberry township. Between the labor enslaving days of his youth and the prosperous ones of the present have occurred many varied and developing experiences, the very existence of which stamps him as a man of courage, initiative and purpose. He was born on a farm in Shelby county, Ohio, July 3, 1869, a son of Rev. Thomas N. and Wilhelmina (Schmeding) Butts. In the family there were five children: Edward; Latimer; John; Ada, the wife of Bert Bacome; and Viola. Mrs. Bert Bacome has one son who served in the United States Army during the World war. John Butts was given the advantages of an ordinary education in the public school in a rural district in Shelby county, and when not engrossed in his studies he was engaged in assisting his father in the work of the home place. When still a young man, however, he expressed a preference for a trade, and accordingly left the farm and after several years was working as a mechanic. Some years later he became a skilled workman in the employ of the Wood Shovel and Tool Company, at Piqua, whence he went to Chicago and was employed in the big plant of the Inland Steel Company. Eventually, however, he turned his attention to the occupation of his youth, and, returning to Ohio, settled in Miami county, where he has since developed his Newberry township farm. At this time Mr. Butts is the owner of 106 acres, all under a high state of cultivation, which he devotes to general farming and the raising of a good grade of live stock. He has made a study of his calling, and carries on his operations in a modern manner than cannot help but be prolific of satisfying results. While he has sought no public offices, he has always taken a good citizen' s interest in public affairs and can be counted upon to support movements calculated to be of benefit to the general community welfare. Mr. Butts married September 3, 1896, Anna, daughter of Elias and Laura (Farner) Jones, who had four other children an d were wel1 known farming people of Miami county. To Mr. and, Mrs. Butts there have been. born the following children: Margery, the wife of William Timmerman; Ruth, the wife of Carl Grunert, who served in the United States Army during the World war; an d Elsie May, John, Jr., and Edwin C., who reside at home with their parents.