Edmond Butler, 10 Sept. 1820 - 16 Mar. 1908

BUTLER

Posted By: Frank Holmes (email)
Date: 3/16/2004 at 21:22:37

Iowa County Advertiser [Parnell]
Thurs., Mar. 19, 1908, Pg. 1

PIONEER PASSES AWAY.

Edmund (sic.) Butler, the oldest res-
ident of this community, passed
away at his home here Monday
morning, from acute attack of
heart trouble.

The deceased was born in Tep-
perrary (sic.), Ireland, 87 years ago,
while yet a boy of twelve he left
his native land and came with his
parents to America, coming first to
New Orleans, and there their stay
was only for a short time, thence
they moved to Louisville, Ky.
where they resided until 1845
when he came to Iowa and settled
near West Liberty. But to gratify
the ambitions of this young man
he pushed on still farther west to
the end that he was to be the pos-
sessor of a farm of his own. Com-
ing to now what is known as Hol-
brook, he resolves to stay and
make this his future home. Here
he witnesses the untold tortures of
this day when Iowa was yet in its
swaddling clothes, the uncivilized
Indian his treacherous neighbor,
the wild beasts to prey upon his
stock and a few neighbors to share
his hardships. This type of man,
with heroic nature, strong vim and
determination is what makes the
glowing pages in Iowa's history.

Mr. Butler acquired much of
this worlds good and was ever to
share with his needy neighbor. No
one who knew him but was always
familiar with the phrase "That he
was a good man." He was always
ready to help the poor and needy,
and frequently asserted that the
rich need not apply. No hand in
need went away empty from his
benevolent home, the orphan and
the widow found unsolicited en-
couragement, and the poor man
with the heavy burden was assist-
ed on his journey. He was charit-
able and gave freely to beneverent
institutions.

For the past six years he has
been living in Parnell, and while
here he found a new home, he
found no greater number of new
friends, for they had been such
for years before. He has been
treated in highest respect an re-
spect and recorded the courteousy (sic.)
that was due such a grand and
good old man.

The funeral took placs (sic.) from the
family residence here Tuesday
morning. Services with a requim (sic.)
high Mass was celebrated at St.
Joseph's church this place. Fol-
lowed by a long concourse for
friends the remains were taken to
Holbrook and laid in the family
lot of that place.