He was a self-taught youngster born on a farm during the era of new technology which saw the first steamboat and the electric telegraph. At 18, he decided that he wanted to be a stagecoach driver.  He saved his money which resulted in the startup of his own delivery business.  Hardwork found him owner of one of the largest stagecoach companies (Overland Mail Co.) and later helped to create the American Express Company in which he was a directing partner until his death. Overland Mail came into being after Congress established a mail route in 1857 from St. Louis to San Francisco which became known as the Butterfield Route.  John was given the job to deliver the mail which also was the longest mail route in the world at that time.  At a cost of over a million dollars and after a year of preparation, The line was ready to proceed.  It consisted of 250 Concord Coaches, 500 other vehicles ready to roll, 1,800 best obtainable horses and mules, 3,000 tons of hay, grain and provisions stored in warehouses, 1,200 skilled superintendents, road bosses, drivers, guards, conductors, keepers, blacksmiths, harnessmakers, hostlers and clerks.  The line operated for many years until its demise was sounded by the lst transcontinental RR in 1869, passenger and mail travel by stagecoach was to be no more. Upon closing of the line, he directed his energies to a new project, The American Express.  Living in Utica, New York he was instrumental in its development. He built the Morse telegraph line between New York City and Buffalo.  In 1865, he became mayor of Utica. At the age of 59, he retired early because of a sore throat never to awaken. (bio by: nickcunningham)  Family links:  Spouse:  Malinda Harriet Baker Butterfield (1799 – 1883)*  Children:  Elizabeth Livingston Butterfield Van Vorst (1822 – 1893)*  Theodore Faxton Butterfield (1826 – 1891)*  John Butterfield (1827 – 1909)*  Daniel Adams Butterfield (1831 – 1901)*  Charles Ebert Butterfield (1836 – 1872)* *Calculated relationship