BUTTERFIELD, George Eugene 1870-1956

BUTTERFIELD, COUNTRYMAN, SIEMENS, VAUX

Posted By: Erin Galyean (email)
Date: 1/19/2008 at 00:24:27

Service For G. E. Butterfield at Swea City

SWEA CITY, IOWA – George Eugene Butterfield, 85, longtime resident of this community and prominent in democratic circles of this county for more than 60 years, died Thursday afternoon at Holy Family hospital, Estherville. He suffered a stroke June 22 and had been at the hospital since June 24.

Born September 21, 1870 at Waterloo, Iowa, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Butterfield. His maternal grandfather was the first settler in Waterloo. Of the 11 brothers and sisters, Mr. Butterfield was the last survivor.

His marriage to Ida Mae Countryman of Swea City took place at Algona, February 15, 1897. He farmed southwest of Swea City from 1895 until 1941, when he and his wife retried and moved to Swea City.

The widow survives him, as do seven children: Hugh of Puma, Arizona, Mrs. Ruth Siemens, Lake Crystal, Minn., Clyde Cannon Falls, Minn., Mrs. Marie Vaux, Kirkland, Wash., and George of Algona. There are 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Butterfield was active in the affairs of his community having been director and secretary of the rural school district for 22 years then director and president of the board of education of the Swea City Consolidated School from its beginning in 1916 60 1925. At the recent dedication of the new classroom wing, Mr. Butterfield was one of two surviving directors honored for their long service.

He was at various times director and secretary of the Farmer Elevator and the Swea City Cooperative Creamery. He was township trustee, served on the election board for 50 years, belonged to the Modern Woodmen of American and received his 50 year pin from Imperial Lodge, a. F. and A.M. last year.

Services Saturday were in charge of the Curtis Funeral Home, where a brief prayer service was held preceding the services in the Methodist church. The Rev. S. H. Hammer officiated assisted by the Rev. Everett Beal. Sam Link and Mrs. Thomas Preston sang vocal duets and Kenneth Seylar was at the organ.

Pallbearers were Glenn Clark, R. E. Bravender, Wm. Guyer, Lynn Pulver, Gifford Smith and M. W. Dahl. Masonic rites were held at the grave at Harrison cemetery.

Kossuth County [Algona, Iowa] Advance;
Thurs., July 5, 1956