Lindley S. Butler

Lindley S. Butler was for many years an active practitioner at the Iowa bar and his widow now resides in Northwood, occupying a fine home on Jefferson avenue and Eighth street. Mr. Butler took up his abode in Northwood in 1869 and continued to reside in this city until 1890. He then went to Superior, Wis­consin, and practiced law for eight years, removing to Forest City, Iowa, in 1898. There he remained until his life's labors were ended in death.

He was born in Salem, Ohio, May 31, 1846, a son of Moses V. and Emily S. (Schooley) Butler. The father was a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, while the mother's birth occurred in Salem, that state. Both acquired their education in the district schools and the Friends' Boarding School at Salem, where they were married in 1844. Three years later, when the subject of this sketch was but a year old, they removed to Cedar county, Iowa, where the father became a large landowner and farmer. At the time of the Civil war he secured a contract with the government for furnishing a portion of the beef cattle for the army. In fact he engaged extensively in dealing in cattle and attained considerable prominence in that connection. In his political views Moses V. Butler was a stalwart re­publican and his religious faith was that of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. At all times he commanded the confidence and good will of those who knew him, for his life was ever honorable and upright, actuated by manly principles and high ideals.

Lindley S. Butler was only about a year old when brought by his parents to this state, so that his boyhood was passed in Cedar and Johnson counties of Iowa, where he pursued his education. He attended a private school in the latter county for a time and afterward became a student in the State University of Iowa, from which institution he was graduated in 1869. He entered the university for the study of law and was graduated with the first class in Iowa City, together with Mr. Collin of Northwood. In the year of his graduation he removed to Northwood and entered into partnership with Mr. Collin, with whom he practiced law successfully for a number of years. Afterward they dissolved partnership and Mr. Butler was joined by E. W. Smith, while later a third partner was added, W. E. Pickering joining the firm, which for many years was accorded a very large clientage. While thus engaged in the private practice of law Mr. Butler also served as district attorney in a district comprising eight counties. lie here continued in the active practice of law until 1890, when he removed to Superior, Wisconsin, where he followed his profession until 1898. He then became a resi­dent of Forest City, Iowa, where he opened an office and engaged in practice until his death, which occurred in 1905, when he was fifty-nine years of age.

On the 23d of November, 1869, Mr. Butler was united in marriage, by the Friends' ceremony, to Julia Ann Pickering, a daughter of Abner and Jennette (Saint) Pickering. Julia A. Pickering was born in Greensboro, Indiana, and at­tended a private school, while later she was graduated from a training school in Davenport, Iowa, and subsequently became a student of the Iowa State Uni­versity. Her parents were natives of North Carolina but in childhood removed to Indiana. They were educated in the Greensboro Seminary and were .married in the Friends' church in the town of Greensboro. Her father was engaged in the manufacture of leather and leather goods until his death. To Mr. and Mrs. Butler were born four children: Rush Clark; Sarah Louise; Harriet, who died in 1911; and Lindley M. The older son, Rush Clark Butler, attended Osage Semi­nary one year and Cornell College, Mount Vernon, for the same length of time. He received his diploma from the Northwood high school in 1889 and in Septem­ber of that year entered the Iowa University, graduating from the liberal arts in 1893. After taking one year of law he went to Wisconsin and was admitted to the bar in 1895. He is a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the Phi Delta Phi law fraternity and was editor of the Vidette-Reporter, the university paper, for one year. Going to Chicago in 1895, he entered upon the practice of law and formed a partnership with Elden J. Cassady in 1899. Mr. Cassady died in 1910 but his name is still retained by the firm, which is Cassady, Butler, Lamb & Foster, although there are now eight partners. Lindley M. Butler received his preparatory schooling in Northwood and Iowa City and was graduated from the Superior, Wisconsin, high school in 1896. He then attended the State Normal School in Superior for one year and in 1898 entered the Iowa University, grad­uating from the liberal arts in 1902 and with Phi Beta Kappa honors. He is a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and was managing editor of the Vidette-Reporter, the university paper. In 1902 he became associated with the American Radiator Company of Chicago and in 1908 was made manager of the Cincinnati branch of the company. In 1912 he became manager of the Minnesota branch, which position he now holds.

Following the death of her husband Mrs. Butler returned to Northwood, Iowa, where she still resides. She built a fine home on Jefferson avenue and Eighth street, and there she is most comfortably and attractively located. One of the interesting features of her home is a solid mahogany clock, which was purchased in August, 1814, by her grandfather, William Saint, Sr., and which is about eight feet in height.

Mr. Butler gave his political support to the republican party, was a stanch advocate of its principles and was elected a delegate to the national convention which nominated James A. Garfield for the presidency. He held a number of minor offices in his town and for one term served as mayor of Northwood during the period of his residence here, giving to the city a businesslike and progressive administration. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons and attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite. He was also a member of the Elks lodge and the Elks Club and his religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church. As a lawyer he displayed a thorough grasp of the principles of juris­prudence, with ability to accurately apply these principles. His marked character­istics gave him prominence at the bar and he was well and favorable known throughout the state, having the respect and confidence of his fellowmen in an unusual degree. He was honored and respected by all who knew him and most of all where he was best known, and he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the communities in which he lived.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 84-88

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, 9/3/2006

Lindley S. Butler and family