Harold J. Butler was born December 2, 1912, in Brookfield Township, Minnesota to Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Butler. Butler attended and graduated from Hector Public School, then went on to earn a Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota in 1936. While attending the University of Minnesota, he married Genevieve Virginia Sorenson from Minneapolis on December 24, 1937.

After graduating from U of M, Butler briefly worked in Washington D.C, and in Denton, Texas for the Soil Conservation Service. Butler worked on improving farming techniques and containing soil erosion in Arkansas, from the late 1930s to mid 1940s, working around Booneville (Logan County), Fort Smith (Sebastian County), and Russellville (Pope County). In 1947, Butler and his family moved back to Minnesota, where he established the International Harvester Dealership. In 1948, after his father's death, Butler quit his job and pursued a farming career. Butler continued to farm until his retirement in 1970.

Harold Butler died January 11, 1998, and his wife Genevieve in March, 2005. Mr. and Mrs. Butler had three children; Jon and Karen born in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas. Perry Butler, the youngest, was born in Glencoe, Minnesota.