William Butterworth joined Deere & Company as an assistant buyer in 1892, and married the daughter of the company president, Katherine Deere, granddaughter of John Deere.
In 1897 he was elected treasurer, and became president after the death of Charles Deere in 1907.
The above 5,700-square-foot, Shingle Style, five-bed, six-bath Santa Barbara John Deere House was built in 1900, and surprisingly, on just 0.84 acres,
https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/11/a-classic-shingle-style-mansion-built-for-the-john-deere-family/248659/
https://www.thehamiltoncoblog.com/enchanting-lodge-estate-secluded-woodlands-san-marcos-pass-road/
The yellow house was originally owned and developed by Charles Deere, the only surviving son of John Deere.
Charles Deere and his descendants lived in the property 102 years before it became part of the Foundation.
The property consisted of three lots, and included the house, a barn, outbuildings, a carriageway, fruit trees, grapery, and select plants.The grocer defaulted on the property and John Deere purchased the house and the three lots in 1875.
For the next five years, Deere renovated and expanded the house before occupying it in 1880. The additions more than doubled the size of the house.
Deere & Company underwent many changes during Butterworth's tenure. In 1910 the board of directors reorganized the company's factories into one unified entity, giving birth to the modern Deere & Company.
In 1912 Deere began manufacturing combine harvesters.
In 1918 the company purchased Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company and the rights to produce their tractors.
Butterworth also implemented a pension system and a benefit and disability program for Deere & Company's employees.
Butterworth retired in 1928 and became the first Chairman of Deere & Company's board, a position he held until his death in 1936.
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