A small program was held Thursday, Aug. 11, for Civil War U.S. Army Pvt. Garrett Butler, who is buried in the Bridgeport Cemetery. The Crawford County Veterans Service Office coordinated the historically honorable event, which was attended by Butler’s great-great-granddaughter Dorothy Huotari, of Sun City, Ariz., among others.
Gary Gundlach emceed the program and Pastor Andy Doll delivered the invocation. Remarks were made by Huotari, Doll gave a closing prayer and military honors accorded by the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard completed the ceremony.
Prairie du Chien historian Mary Antoine shared the story of Butler’s life:
Garrett Butler was born in 1826 (exact date unknown) in Massachusetts. He came to Wisconsin and settled in Oakfield, where he was a farmer. He married widow Hannah Madison and, together, they had three daughters.