BUTLER, Oliver K. (1846-1912)

BUTLER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 2/3/2016 at 14:17:08

Oliver Kenyon Butler
(Feb 26, 1846 - Feb 13, 1912)

Death of O. K. Butler
O. K. Butler, for thirty-five years one of the leading businessmen of Indianola, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Alice Miller on Tuesday, February 13, 1912. Mr. Butler had been in ill .health for more than a year, but his decline was not thought to be fatal. He anticipated a trip to Florida at holiday time, but the extreme cold weather and his continued illness prevented his departure. His death came after two days of severe illness. The funeral services were held at the Presbyterian church on Thursday, February 15, and were conducted by W. 0. Harless, assisted by Rev R. K. Porter of Des Moines.
Oliver Kenyon Butler was born February 26th, 1846, in Miami county, Indiana, and died February 13th, 1912, aged 65 years, 11 months and 13 days. He moved with his parents to lowa in 1855 and has through all these years been a resident of Warren county, and most of the time a citizen of Indianola, On October 5th, 1865, near Knoxville, Iowa, he was married to Miss Jennie Hook to which union there born two daughters, one dying when but a year old. He leaves to mourn their loss, his wife, Mrs. Jennie Butler, a daughter, Mrs., Alice Miller; two grandchildren, Leo. and Adelina Miller; and one brother, B. N. Butler of Medford, Oregon, whose physical condition forbade his coming for these last obsequies of his only brother.
For a time after coming to Indianola Mr. Butler worked at the carpenter trade, but 35 years ago he started the jewelry business, in which business he continued to the time of his death, in later years being associated with his daughter, Mr. Alice Miller.
In 1868, July 11th, under the ministry of the Rev. Silas Johnson, Mr. Butler was converted and united with the Presbyterian church of Indianola and from the first was rather closely identified with its interests. He was honored by his church in many ways; being elected Ruling elder and serving actively in that capacity for more than twelve years; Sabbath School Superintendent for a period of years; trustee of the church and for the last thirty years there has not been a time when he was not a teacher in the Sabbath School, most of that time being teacher of the young men's class, and did not give up that activity until his health failed so mach that he was unable to come to church; then the class affectionately refused to elect another teacher, selecting simply a supply, as they said "Till Mr. Butler can come back to us."
[copied from a list of obituaries by Charles S. Fair]