The Family of Harry J. Butler and Elizabeth Nichol

Harry J. Butler, son of Samuel, was born on October 5, 1875 at Bottisham, England. He died on October 18, 1965 at Highland Park, Michigan. He is buried in the Downing Cemetery at Deckerville, Michigan. Vernon Butler indicated in a letter dated, August 8, 1983 that his father’s middle name was John. This is confirmed by Harry’s World War I draft registration. He came to American with her mother, Sarah, arriving in American on July 12, 1880 aboard the steamship Spain, which sailed from Liverpool.

In the 1900 United States census return, Harry’s occupation is given as that of a schoolteacher. He taught school for thirteen years at Deckerville, Carsonville and Peck, Michigan. In 1920 Harry was a doctor in general practice. In 1930 Harry was physician in private practice. He owned his home, which was valued at $20,000. The family did not possess a radio according to the census return.

In 1904, he entered the Detroit College of Medicine. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1910 and practiced medicine in his hometown of Deckerville until 1917. He was a member of the Methodist Church.

Harry’s World War I draft registration card, dated September 12, 1918, tells us that he was born on the date cited above, was forty-two years of age and a physician employed by Dodge Brothers Ordinance Plant. He was described as being of medium height and built with gray eyes and brown hair.

On October 27, 1897, Henry married in Bridgehampton Township, Sanilac County, Michigan to Elizabeth L. Nichol, daughter of Thomas John Nichol and Sarah Melissa Tucker. Elizabeth was born on December 16, 1874. She died on January 23, 1965 at Highland Park. She is buried in the Downing Cemetery at Deckerville. Bob Nichol reports that Elizabeth was born on December 16, 1874 in McGregor, Michigan and died on January 26, 1965 at Highland Park. in addition, Bob Nichol reports that Elizabeth was a schoolteacher by profession. The 1900 United States census return for Bridgehampton Township, Sanilac, Michigan reports that Elizabeth was born in December of 1873.

  1. Volney A. Butler was born on November 7, 1898 in Carsonville, Michigan. The Michigan Death Index indicates that Volney died on March 13, 1986 at Dearborn, Michigan. His World War I draft registration card indicates that Volney’s middle name was Nichol.

    Volney’s World War I draft registration card, dated September 12, 1918, tells us that he was born on the date cited above, was nineteen years of age and student at the Detroit Medical College. He was described as being of medium height and built. At the time of his registration, Volney was living with his parents at 33 Waverley in Highland Park.

    Volney married Ruth Whitsell.

    Volney and Ruth had three children.

  2. Vernon L. Butler was born on July 25, 1906 in Peck. He died in 1990. The social security death index shows a Vernon Butler who died on October 24, 1993 in South Venice, Sarasota, Florida.

    Vernon married Ida Mae Weaver, daughter of Jesse E. Weaver and Amy L [family name unknown], was born on January 18, 1915. She died on November 2, 2007 at Waterford, Oakland, Michigan.

Sources:

  1. Research by Dan Allen of Deckerville, Michigan.
  2. Return of Marriages for Sanilac County, Michigan for:
  3. Transcription of the obituary for:
  4. Copy of the obituary for H. J. Butler.
  5. Letters written by Harry Butler to his niece Jesse Schaeder, nee Butler, dated July 5, 1951, July 10, 1951, and July 14, 1951.
  6. Letters from Vernon L. Butler dated May 11, 1983, June 25, 1983, and August 8, 1983.
  7. The following United States federal census:
  8. World War I draft registration cards as found at http://www.ancestry.com for:
  9. Michigan Death Index for the period 1971 to 1996 as found at http://www.ancestry.com.
  10. The Social Security Death Index.
  11. Information on the Nichol family posted by Bob Nichol in the world tree project section at http://www.ancestry.com.

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Written and Edited by Harry Gruss
Revised August 13, 2009.

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