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John Warren Butterfield

John Warren Butterfield

Male 1801 - 1869  (68 years)  Submit Photo / DocumentSubmit Photo / Document


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  • Name John Warren Butterfield 
    Born 1801  Berne, Albany, New York Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Census 1855  New York Find all individuals with events at this location 
    1855 NY Butterfield.
    1855 NY Butterfield.
    1855 State Census. Utica, Oneida, New York. Family 424.
    Census 1865  New York Find all individuals with events at this location 
    1865 NY Butterfield.
    1865 NY Butterfield.
    State Census. Utica, Oneida, New York. Family 88.
    Occupation John was a stagecoach driver. He went on to co-found the companies that became American Express and Wells Fargo.

    In 1857 he founded the Butterfield Overland Express. He carried Mail and passengers from St. Louis to San Francisco. The 2812 mile trip was expected to take 25 days but, they often made it in 22 days. The trip was longer than other stage routes but, it went far enough south to avoid the snow. Passengers paid $200 for the trip. Adjusted for inflation they were paying a little over $7,300. For a simple laborer working 60 hours a week this represented 2 1/2 years of wages.

    At their best the company employed 800 people owned 250 stagecoaches and 1200 horses and mules. In March 1860 due to debt owed to Wells Fargo they took over the company and John was forced out of business.

    In March 1861 the route was discontinued due the the anticipation of conflict in the Civil War. 
    Butterfield Overland Mail Route.
    Butterfield Overland Mail Route.
    This 1958 U.S. postage stamp shows the route of the Overland Mail route. It was issued in commemoration of the 1858 contract John got to carry mail for the U.S. Postal service.
    A 1953 American Express Shipping Receipt.
    A 1953 American Express Shipping Receipt.
    A 1953 American Express Shipping Receipt that shows Butterfield was a partner.
    Butterfield Stagecoach.
    Butterfield Stagecoach.
    This Restored Butterfield Stagecoach is on display at the Fort Chadbourne museum in Coke county, Texas.
    Butterfield Overland Mail In San Francisco.
    Butterfield Overland Mail In San Francisco.
    Harper's Weekly, New York, Saturday, December 11, 1858 page 1.
    Died 14 Nov 1869  Utica, Oneida, New York Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Hon John Butterfield Obituary.
    Hon John Butterfield Obituary.
    The New York Times, Tuesday, November 16, 1869 page 5.
    Headstones Submit Headstone Photo Submit Headstone Photo 
    Person ID I15764  Nagel
    Last Modified 28 Jan 2017 

    Father Daniel Butterfield,   b. 1776,   d. 18 Apr 1849  (Age 73 years) 
    Relationship Birth 
    Mother Mrs Catheline Butterfield 
    Relationship Birth 
    Family ID F5321  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Malinda Harriet Baker,   b. 23 Oct 1799, New York Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Aug 1883, Utica, Oneida, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years) 
    Married 1822 
    Children 
     1. Elizabeth Livingston Butterfield,   b. 7 Nov 1822,   d. 14 Mar 1893, Utica, Oneida, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years)  [Birth]
    +2. Theodore Faxton Butterfield,   b. 2 Jun 1826, Berne, Albany, New York Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Feb 1891  (Age 64 years)  [Birth]
     3. John Butterfield, Jr,   b. 20 Aug 1827, Utica, Oneida, New York Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Mar 1909, Utica, Oneida, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years)  [Birth]
     4. Daniel Adams Butterfield,   b. 31 Oct 1831, Utica, Oneida, New York Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Jul 1901, Cold Spring, Putnam, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 69 years)  [Birth]
     5. Delia M Butterfield,   b. Abt 1833, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
     6. Charles Ebert Butterfield,   b. 5 May 1836, Utica, Oneida, New York Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Nov 1872, Utica, Oneida, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 36 years)  [Birth]
     7. Harriet L Butterfield,   b. Abt 1839, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
     8. Eliza Butterfield,   b. Abt 1843, New York Find all individuals with events at this location  [Birth]
    Last Modified 6 Jan 2017 
    Family ID F5322  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart