Mountain City in Johnson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Roderick Random Butler

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

1. Roderick Random Butler Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Born in Wythesville, Virginia, April 8, 1827, he came to this county at the age of 14 as a tailor apprentice. During the Civil War, he served as Lieutenant Colonel of the 13th Tennessee Cavalry. First elected in 1867, he was for 10 years a member of the U.S. Congress, and served in the state legislature for 24 years. He completed this house around 1870. In 1902 he died, and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1A-96.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.

Location. 36° 28.65′ N, 81° 48.177′ W. Marker is in Mountain City, Tennessee, in Johnson County. Marker is at the intersection of North Church Street and Butler Street, on the left when traveling south on North Church Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mountain City TN 37683, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10

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miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Fighting Bushwhackers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Honor Roll (approx. ¼ mile away); Clarence "Tom" Ashley (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Baptist Church Bicentennial Celebration (approx. 0.3 miles away); Maymead Stock Farm (approx. 3.7 miles away); Laurel Bloomery (approx. 6.7 miles away); Backbone Rock (approx. 8.1 miles away); The Trading Ground (approx. 9½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mountain City.

Also see . . . Wikipedia Entry. “Butler was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1859, representing Johnson and Carter counties, and was reelected in 1861. He was one of fifteen legislators to vote against the state’s military alignment with the Confederate States of America in May 1861. He was a member of the Johnson County delegation at both the Knoxville session (May 30–31) and Greeneville session (June 17–20) of the East Tennessee Convention, which petitioned the state legislature to allow East Tennessee to break away from Tennessee and form a Union-aligned state.

“Described by fellow Unionist Oliver Perry Temple as ‘unshrinking’ and "outspoken," Butler was arrested by Confederate authorities and charged with treason in 1862, but was acquitted due to lack of witnesses. He was arrested on a similar charge a short while later, but was released with the

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

2. Roderick Random Butler Marker

help of friends, and fled to Kentucky. He was authorized by General Ambrose Burnside to raise a Union Army regiment, but this new regiment was consolidated with the Thirteenth Regiment, Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry under Colonel John K. Miller in late 1863. Butler received the rank of lieutenant colonel, and served until 1864, when he resigned for health reasons.” (Submitted on June 14, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)

Roderick Random Butler (1827–1902) image. Click for full size.

Unsigned engraving via Wikipedia Commons

3. Roderick Random Butler (1827–1902)

Roderick Random Butler House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 9, 2017

4. Roderick Random Butler House

This is a private residence. Do not trespass.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 345 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 14, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.