Butler County, located in the south-central part of the state, was the commonwealth's 53rd county. Settlers moving into the area thought they had found "a little bit of heaven"--a virgin forest of oak, poplar, chestnut, hickory, and walnut and an abundance of wild game. Out of this wilderness developed a county rich in tradition, with many contributions to state and national history. It has been said that, for its population, the county has produced...