The Family of William A Butler and Johanna Rachel Budd

William A. Butler, son of Samuel, was born on September 5, 1863 at Cambridge, England. He died on October 23, 1931 at Kearney, Nebraska at the age of sixty-eight years, one month and eighteen days. He was buried on October 25, 1931 in Highland Park Cemetery at Ravenna, Nebraska. On November 9, 1937 his remains were removed to the Kearney City Cemetery at Kearney, Nebraska. It appears that William arrived in America with his father Samuel, and brother, Richard, on March 20, 1880 aboard the steamship Hecla, which left Liverpool, England on March 6 1880. On July 30, 1886, he moved to Nebraska settling in the area of Ravenna. He first worked as a section hand for the Union-Pacific Railroad. He then turned to farming, purchasing land on July 16, 1897 from Jeremiah and Malissa Trawney. This parcel of land was described as:

"West half (1/2) of the North East Quarter (1/4) and the East half (1/2) of the North West Quarter (1/4) of Section Twenty-six (26) Township Twelve (12) Range Fourteen (14) West of the 6th p.m."

William and Rachel agreed to assume a mortgage give to the Lombard Investment Company in the amount of $1,200. At this time they were living in a one room sod house which measured ten feet by twelve feet. On June 19, 1901, he purchased additional land from Isaac Samuel and Anne M. Snow for $1,550. The land was described as:

"The West half (1/2) of the North West Quarter (1/4) and the North half (1/2) of the South West Quarter (1/4) of Section Twenty-six (26) Township Twelve (12) Range 14 West of the 6th. p.m."

William sold his holdings on May 4, 1930 to Harry O. Muhlbach for $19,200. He then purchased a house at 609 West 26th. Street in Kearney, Buffalo, Nebraska.

William was a member of the Buffalo Lodge #38 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Nebraska. He served as Grand Patriarch and Noble Grand. His picture hangs in the Lodge Hall in Kearney, Nebraska. He was a member of the First Baptist Church.

William married at the residence of Del Thomas in Shelton, Nebraska on March 19, 1887 to Joannah Rachel Budd, daughter of Joseph Andrew Budd and Susanna P. Erway. She was known as Rachel Ann. Rachel was born on November 14, 1870 at Constantine, Michigan. She died at the age of eighty-two years on September 25, 1953 at Kearney, Nebraska. She was buried on September 27, 1953 in the Kearney City Cemetery at Kearney, Nebraska. Rachel was a member of the Naomi Rebecca Lodge #12; Tuscan Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; Lady Militant Auxilxiary #3 and the Royal Neighbors. She was a member of the Baptist Church.

William and Rachel had six children, all of whom were born at Ravenna, Nebraska.

1. Jessie May Butler was born on October 14, 1888. She died on June 1, 1960 at Baker, Montana.
2. Harry LeRoy Butler was born on July 8, 1890. He died on August 4, 1921 at Omaha, Nebraska.
3. Florence Mabel Butler was born on August 5, 1893. She died on September 23, 1976 at Kearney, Nebraska. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Florence was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Patriarch Militants, the Eastern Star and the Royal Neighbors. She did volunteer work for the Red Cross. She was a seamsters.
4. James Grant Butler was born on July 25, 1895. He died on August 4, 1978 at Kearney, Nebraska.
5. Joseph Samuel Butler was born on August 4, 1897. He died on May 16, 1984 at Lincoln, Nebraska.
6. Nellie Rachel Butler was born on August 31, 1903. She died on January 3, 1960 at Denver, Colorado.

Sources

1. Obituaries for:
   • Rachel Butler, nee Budd.
   • William A. Butler.
   • Harry LeRoy Butler.
   • Florence Butler.
2. Birth Certificate for Rachel Budd.
3. Marriage license for William Butler and Rachel Budd.
4. Butler family outline by Harry Butler in the possession of Leota Tyner of Lincoln, Nebraska.
5. “The Samuel Butler History” by J. S. Butler in the possession of Leota Tyner of Lincoln, Nebraska.
6. Records of the City of Kearney Cemetery at Kearney, Nebraska, provided by Don Johnson.
7. Kearney city directories for the years 1922, 1924, 1926, 1928 and 1931.
8. 1871 England Census for Cambridgeshire, St. Andrew the Less Cambridge, District 14, Registration District of Cambridgeshire, Household Schedule 58, Hills Road.
9. United States Federal Census for:
   • 1880 for Dryden, Lapeer, Michigan, SB 3, ED 165, Page 21, Dwelling 235, Family 240.
   • 1900 for Garfield Township, Buffalo, Nebraska, Sheet 10A, Dwelling 207, Family 207.
   • 1910 for Garfield Township, Buffalo, Nebraska, Sheet 17A, Dwelling 44, Family 43.
   • 1920 for Ward 3 of Kearney, Buffalo, Nebraska, Sheet 13A, Dwelling 224, Family 261.
   • 1930 for Ward 3 of Kearney, Buffalo, Nebraska, Sheet 5A, Dwelling 112, Family 113.
10. Ravenna News, 24 May 1918 edition.
11. Death Certificate for Rachel Butler, nee Budd, William A. Butler and Florence Butler.
12. Union Ridge School records.
13. Probate records for Rachel Butler, nee Budd.
14. Land records for Buffalo County, Nebraska.
15. Research by Thelma Lyons of Kearney, Nebraska.
16. Research by Edith Abrahams of Ravenna, Nebraska.
17. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 as found at http://www.ancestry.com for the steamship Hecla.

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