Butterfield, Justin

1790–Oct. 1855. Teacher, lawyer. Born in Keene, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire. Moved to Watertown, Jefferson Co., New York, ca. 1810, where he taught school and studied law. Admitted to bar, 1812, at Watertown. Practiced law in Adams, Jefferson Co., and Sackets Harbor, Jefferson Co. Married Elizabeth Pierce, ca. 1814, in Sackets Harbor. Moved to Hounsfield, Jefferson Co., by 1820; to New Orleans; back to Watertown, 1826; and to Chicago, 1835. An original trustee of Rush Medical College, Mar. 1837. District attorney of Illinois, 1841–1844. As U.S. attorney, instructed to resist JS’s bankruptcy petition, 1842, and negotiated proposed settlement. Defended JS, Dec. 1842–Jan. 1843, at Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois, when Missouri authorities attempted to extradite JS to be charged as accessory in attempt to kill former governor Lilburn W. Boggs. Partner in law firm of Butterfield & Collins, as early as 1843, in Chicago. Died in Chicago.