James Butterworth
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia, PA
James Butterworth was born in Philadelphia, PA, September 4, 1840, the eldest son of Henry Whitaker and
Emma (Cox) Butterworth and grandson of John Butterworth. Sometime before 1820, John Butterworth moved to
Philadelphia and began a tinwork business in support of the textile industry. In 1844, the shop passed to his
son, Henry. It was relocated to York and Cedar Streets where business was conducted under the name of
H.W. Butterworth & Sons.
James attended the public schools of Philadelphia and graduated from Central High School in 1857 with high
honors. He became a clerk in the textile machinery business of his father. In 1860, he became manager and
superintendent of the business. In 1866, he became a partner, along with his younger brothers, Charles C. and
William B. In 1864, James joined the Pennsylvania volunteers, and served during the last year of the war in
Pennsylvania. He became interested in various clubs and companies. His greatest service to the industry was
that he represented the State of Pennsylvania in the early years of the Pennsylvania Museum and School of
Industrial Art – the forerunner of Philadelphia Textiles now Philadelphia University.
He married, November 6, 1862, Julia Ann Gentry. Their children were: Harry Warner, Elizabeth Warner, Albert
Whitaker, and James Warner.
H.W. Butterworth & Sons went on to become a major supplier of textile dyeing and finishing equipment in the
twentieth century.
Page Copyright: Gary N. Mock 2009
James Butterworth
Source: Lamb's Textile
Industries of the United
States Vol. II 1916
Source: Lamb's Textile
Industries of the United
States Vol. II 1916
Butterworth Ad 1918
Courtesy Peter Metzke
Courtesy Peter Metzke