[2] It was named after Michael Butler, an Irish immigrant bricklayer who founded a brick works on a railway spur.

He had accidentally discovered suitable brickmaking clay while digging holes on land bought for timber.

The firm's central operations were located at a 1,000-acre site in Butler; sales headquarters were based in Austin.

Michael Butler was succeeded by members of his family, including a son who studied ceramic engineering at Ohio State University.

[3] Today, Elgin-Butler Brick produces firebrick and specialty structural glazed tiles.