Butler, Joseph 1851 - 1917

BUTLER, BRACKIN, MOATS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 12/2/2013 at 20:56:26

Elgin Echo, Thur., 22 Nov. 1917. (condensed).

Last Thursday evening, Nov. 15th, occurred the death of one of our most prominent citizens, Joseph Butler, who was for many years a contractor and builder in Elgin. His death was due to hardening of the arteries.

Joseph Butler was the son of Joseph and Martha Butler and was born at Lawrenceville, Ill., Mar. 5, 1851. When a little chap of 5 he lost his father. At 6 years he came with his mother and sister, now Mrs. John Brackin, to Fayette county, where they made their home between Elgin and West Union. Always he was the main support of his widowed mother and bestowed upon her the love and devotion of a loyal son. At her death he was left without home ties and then took a room at the hotel in Elgin where he lived for 16 years.

Sept. 27, 1904, he was married to Miss Hattie Moats and for 13 years he was a kind and devoted husband.

Elgin was always his home except for a year or so spent in Des Moines. He was a carpenter and took much pride in his work. Many of Elgin's best residences and public buildings were erected by his hands and will bear mute testimony to his honest and upright character.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the German Baptist church, one of the buildings he had built. He was carried from his home to his last resting place in Elgin cemetery by his nephews, sons and sons-in-law of Mrs. John Brackin, his only sister and near relative, besides his wife. His Masonic brothers formed his escort. The funeral was largely attended and the profusion of flowers attested the esteem of his many friends.

Those from away to attend the funeral were John Lehman and wife of La Porte; Mrs. Finke, Abe Moats and family, Ed White and wife and Warne White, all of Volga City; Mr. and Mrs. Butler and Miss Finch of West Union; and S. W. Rubyer and family of Randalia.

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Submitter is not related.

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