Butler, May Morrison (1870-1942)

BUTLER, MORRISON, IDSO, SPEAS, ELSBERRY

Posted By: C. Tucker (email)
Date: 11/26/2014 at 16:23:02

Times Republican
Marshalltown, IA [11-16-1942] p. 5

FIRST WOMAN TELEGRAPH OPERATOR DIES SATURDAY

Mrs. Fred C. Butler, died at her home, two miles west of Ferguson at 9:50 a.m. Saturday. Her death was caused by a stroke, which was her second. Mrs. Butler was born May Morrison, a daughter of John and Melinda Morrison, at Rochester, Minn., in 1870. At the age of 7 years, she came to Marshall county and lived a short time near the old settlement of Timber Creek, then moving to the home in which she was living at the time of her death. She was graduated from the old Western college at Toledo, after which she taught school for a number of years, later becoming probably the first woman telegraph operator in the state, working at various places in the county for the M. & St. L. She was married to Frec C. Butler in 1895 at Marshalltown. After their marriage, they lived at Bromley and Clemons for a number of years, then moving back to Mrs. Butler's childhood home. Mrs. Butler was the last of her family, her parents and four brothers having preceded her in death. Surviving are Mr. Butler, six children, Lyle of Madrid, Morris of Fort Knox, Ky., Earl of Marshalltown, Mrs. R. G. Idso of Clemons, Mrs. O. V. Speas of Marshalltown, and Mrs. H. I. Elsberry at home. Fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren also survive. She had been a life long member of the Ferguson Christian church and was a member of the Gilman Rebekah lodge. The body was removed from the Estel funeral home Monday afternoon to the family home where a prayer service will be held at 1:30 Tuesday aftenoon followed by funeral services at the Ferguson Christian church at 2 o'clock. Burial will be in Riverside cemetery in Marshalltown.