M. D. (Mathew D.) Butler was born in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, on August 14, 1877. He moved to North Dakota along with his family in 1882. He married Alvina "Vinnie" Anderson in Conway, North Dakota, on February 7, 1905. Butler lived for a time in Brocket, North Dakota, where he farmed in addition to running a drugstore. He was elected to the North Dakota State House of Representatives as a Republican from Brocket and served one term, from 1913-14. Butler moved to Grand Forks in 1915, where he was employed in agriculture and road construction before retiring in 1936. Butler remained active in retirement by becoming one of the leaders for rural electrification in the Red River Valley. M. D. Butler died on June 13, 1948, in Grand Forks. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery.
From the description of Records, 1902-1909 (University of North Dakota). WorldCat record id: 632233484
