James Butler's family tree : in a circular format James Butler's family tree. Prepared by Alice Biggs (Brooklyn) and Christine Vorster (Irene) 1973-1975. James Butler was born in London, 1854 and immigrated to South Africa in 1874. He established a book shop "Butler and Wilkie". Later became the editor of the Midland News. He died and was buried in Cradock in 1923. He got married in 1882 to Annie Letitia Collett, born 1856.She lived at Grass Ridge, Cradock and died at Graaff-Reinet, buried in Cradock in 1951.