|
Bennett - McFarland House
Built 1858
108 West Pine Street, Butler, Missouri
 One of the oldest homes still standing in Butler began modestly. In 1858, William Millow built a small home on the corner of Pine and Havannah Streets. It was heavily damaged during the Civil War. John Meyers bought the property in 1868 and rebuilt the house and sold it in 1877 to A.L. McBride who added an additional section on the west side. McBride owned McBride & Co selling groceries and hardware throughout the county. He was also a director of Butler National Bank.
In 1882, he sold the updated home to E.A. Bennett. Bennett owned Bennett-Wheeler Mercantile Co. and was a director and stockholder of Farmers Bank, serving as president until 1911. A daughter, Helen married Charles McFarland whose father owned McFarland Bros. Harness Shop. Charles and Helen Bennett McFarland moved into the home after her father’s death. McFarland died in 1937. Helen continued to live in the home until her death in 1964.
The house was sold and became rental property for the next decade. It was purchased in 1974 by Paul Phillips who has completed an extensive restoration. During their renovation they uncovered the west exterior of the original 1858 house still with burn marks from the Civil War. It is now part of an interior wall that housed pocket doors.
|
