Butler Bird (1897)

BIRD, HOWELL, MILES

Posted By: Cay Merryman
Date: 7/23/2004 at 20:01:59

Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, April 29, 1897
Page 5

Hon. Butler Bird, Tuesday the house of representative adopted the following resolutions concerning the life and death of Rev. Bird, upon motion of Hon. A. L. Wood, member from this county, who drafted the same: Whereas, An all wise Providence has removed by death, Hon. Butler Bird, who was a most worthy and respected member of the 18th General Assembly from Madison County......etc.

Bird, Rev. Butler, The sad news of the death of Rev. Butler Bird, of Patterson, came to this city Monday. He was taken sick about one week previous to death with heart trouble, and gradually grew worse from the first until Sunday at one o'clock p.m. when the messenger came and he passed quietly away. Rev. Bird was a man about sixty years of age and was an old settler of this county, having lived here some thirty or more years. He was a soldier in the late war, serving two years in Company D, 1st Iowa cavalry. He represented Madison county in the 18th General Assembly and was at one time superintendent of the schools in this county. Altogether he was a man actively engaged in public service and was widely acquainted over the state and county.

He leaves a wife, one son and four daughters to mourn his death, which came unexpectedly and on such short notice. The funeral was held in Patterson on Monday, and was one of the largest in the history of the county. The ceremonies were in charge of the I.O.O.F. organization of Patterson, of which he was an active member. Thus ends the life of one of Madison county's best citizens, a Christian gentleman and a generous man.
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Semi Weekly Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Tuesday, April 27, 1897

Mr. Butler Bird died at his home in Patterson Sunday at one o’clock. Funeral was held at the Christian church Monday at three p.m. He was an old time resident and one of our most respected citizens. He leaves a wife, four daughters and one son to mourn his loss.
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Semi Weekly Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Tuesday, April 27, 1897

Death of an Old Settler.

Hon. Butler Bird, of Patterson, died at his home Sunday morning, of heart disease. Mr. Bird was an early settler in this county, having lived here since boyhood, or early manhood. He entered the army and served his country as a soldier. For years he was a minister in the Church of Christ. He served one term as county superintendent, and represented this county in the nineteenth general assembly of Iowa.

Mr. Bird’s sickness was of short duration, something like ten days. He was in Winterset about two weeks ago, but soon thereafter was prostrated by his last sickness. He was about sixty years of age.

He leaves a wife and several daughters, one of whom is Mrs. D. T. Miles, and one Mrs. N. S. Howell. Mr. Bird was for practically all of his adult life a prominent figure in the community, in social life, church work and politics, and will be much missed for many a day to come.
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Winterset Review
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, April 28, 1897
Page 5, Column 4

Butler Bird Dead

Butler Bird, one of the old and respected citizens of Madison county, died last Sunday morning of heart trouble. He had been very low for several days and his death was not unexpected. The funeral took place Monday.

Mr. Bird came to Madison county thirty years ago and has lived in Crawford township for the last twenty years. During his life he was county superintendent and a member of the legislature from this county, beside holding many other positions of trust and honor.

He leaves a wife and five children. His daughters are Mrs. A.M. Farris, Mrs. D.T. Miles, and Mrs. Nelson Howell, Mrs. W.D. Patterson and Graham Bird, his son.
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Semi Weekly Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, May 21, 1897
Page 3, Column 1

Butler Bird
Butler Bird died at his home at Patterson, Sunday Afternoon, April 25, at the age of fifty-eight years and five months.

He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, September 29, 1838; in 1848, when he was 10 years old, he came with his parents to Madison county, Iowa, in the beginning of the settlement of the county. His education was gained in the native log school house. So well did he improve his time and opportunity that he began teaching in the common schools at the early age of seventeen. He continued to be an industrious and persevering student, and was in scholarship the peer of those who had enjoyed far better educational privileges. He served two terms as county superintendent of schools.

At the age of twenty-one, Novvember 1859, he was united in marriage with Mary Graham, who is yet with us.

Of their six children one died in infancy and five are living in this county - John Graham Bird; Jessie, Mrs. D.T. Miles; Clyde, Mrs. W. D. Patterson; Eva, Mrs. A.M. Farris, and May, Mrs. Nelson Howell. There are X grandchildren.

In the beginning of the war he enlisted in the First Iowa Cavalry, Company D, Captain Bryan. After two years' service he was discharged on account of disability.

He always took an lively interest in public affairs and was active in every thing pertaining to the duties of citizenship. In 1881 he was chose to represent Madison County in the legislature.

He became a member of the Church of Christ at the age of fourteen and was through life a devoted and active Christian. In early life he began preaching but never devoted his time wholly to the ministry's work as a preacher being mainly in Madison County. He baptized many believers and married more than ninety couples. His sympathetic nature caused him to be called to preach many funerals.

His traits of character were clear cut and positive. He was firm and decided in his views and convictions to question popular theories and ... in the expression... [edge of paper torn]

The funeral services were conducted by the writer at the Christian church in Patterson on Monday, April 26th. There was a very large gathering of people. After a discourse on the words "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day," his body was born by the Patterson Lodge of Odd Fellows, of which he was a member, to the cemetery and laid to rest with the impressive ceremonies of the order. A.H.

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