Sacramento County
Biographies
RUFUS
BUTTERFIELD
RUFUS BUTTERFIELD, a pioneer of Sacramento, was born in Rodan, Jefferson County, New York, November 13, 1827. He was twenty-two years old when his father died, and when in 1829 the family removed to Rochester, New York, young Rufus had already received all the schooling which he was destined to have. He learned the carpenter’s trade, but at the age of nineteen he went to New Orleans, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, until 1846. In 1847 he removed to Nashville, Tennessee, and there engaged in business. When the discovery of gold in California in 1848 caused the greatest excitement, thousands flocked to the new country, and the subject of this sketch was not to be left behind. He closed his business on the 1st of January, 1849, and left Nashville for the “land of promise.” Making a short stop in New Orleans, he sailed by way of Panama, arriving in San Francisco on the 5th of July, 1849, in the ship Niantic. He entered into business co-partnership with Edward Hicks, a companion of his voyages, and, coming to Sacramento, they opened a store for the sale of goods which they had the forethought to bring with them from New Orleans. Mr. Hicks assumed charge of the business here while Mr. Butterfield pushed on to the mines at the North and Middle forks of the American River. When in December the rainy season set in, he sold out his interest in the mines and returned to Tennessee, for his family. Returning again in March, 1850, he located first in San Francisco, corner of Washington and Montgomery streets, and here he was burned out in the big fire of the following year, losing everything. He then came to Sacramento and started a small store on J street, where he remained until 1852, when he went to Nevada City and for the second time engaged in mining. His wife died there, and he returned East with his two daughters, that they might have at least the advantages of an education. Returning to Sacramento, he became interested in building operations, and has continued in that business up to the present time. Mr. Butterfield has been twice married. His first wife was Melinda Loveland, a native of Egg Harbor, New Jersey. He has been a prominent member of the society of California Pioneers, a director and trustee of that organization, and his connection with the Masonic order dates back to 1861, when he was a member of Murray Lodge, No. 380, State of New York.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of
Sacramento County, California. Page 708. Lewis
Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.