Colonel Percival Butler was appointed Kentucky's first adjutant general during Governor Isaac Shelby's first term. Born in Pennsylvania, he served with Washington at Valley Forge and Lafayette at Yorktown. He immigrated to Jessamine County, Kentucky, then moved to Carrollton in 1796, where he established an office in his home and served as adjutant general until about 1817. During the War of 1812, he served on the staff of Major General Samuel Hopkins. After his military service, he was elected clerk of Carroll County and served until his death. He was buried in the Butler Family Cemetery in Carrollton. Butler County, Kentucky, was named for his brother Richard, and Butler State Park was named for his son William Orlando.