The Family of Jesse Butler and Addie Fletcher

Jesse Samuel Butler, son of Samuel, was born on February 21, 1871 at Bottisham, Cambridgeshire, England. He died on May 7, 1955 in Macomb County, Michigan. He is buried in Downing Cemetery at Deckerville, Sanilac, Michigan.

At the time of his marriage, Jesse was a schoolteacher. In 1900 Jesse was a farmer in Wheatland Township of Sanilac County, Michigan. According to two Atlases of Sanilac County, Jesse owned forty acres of land in the southwest corner of Section 35 of Wheatland Township. In 1920 he was employed as a merchant. The handwriting in this census return is difficult to read, therefore, one cannot be sure of the business for which Jesse was a merchant. In 1930, Jesse is an inspector in a factory. There is no indication as to what the factory was making.

Jesse married Addie Eliza Fletcher, daughter of George Fletcher and June (Jane) Metville on July 3, 1895 at Sanilac Center, Sanilac, Michigan. The names of Addie’s parents were taken from her marriage registration. However, when one reviews Addie’s certificate of death, her father is given as John Mayer and her mother is given as Sarah Fletcher. Addie was born July 16, 1877 in the State of Michigan. She died on June 9, 1904 as a result of pulmonary consumption. She was twenty-six years, ten months and 24 days of age. The records for Downing Cemetery in Wheatland Township, Sanilac, Michigan shows an Addie E. Butler with a life span of 1877 to 1904.

Jesse declared his intention to become an American citizen on March 7, 1895 in the Circuit Court of the County of Sanilac, Michigan before John W Scoll. Jesse arrived in the United States on July 12, 1880 aboard the steamship Spain, which departed Liverpool, England via Queenstown, Ireland. He was seven years of age.

Jesse and Addie had three children.

1. Bertha Bell Butler was born on January 27, 1896. She died on August 30, 1977 at Avon, Oakland, Michigan while residing in Romeo, Macomb, Michigan. A confusing fact appears in the return of marriage for Frank and Bertha. Bertha’s mother’s name is record as Madeline Mays.

   Bertha married on December 2, 1914 at Riley, St. Clair, Michigan to Frank S. Hiller, son of Frank Hiller and Jane (Jennie) Young. He was born on May 10, 1887 in Berlin, St. Clair, Michigan. Frank was a farmer by occupation. According to his World War I draft registration card he was of medium height and build and had gray eyes and brown hair. He may have died on September 14, 1959.

   Bertha and Frank had four children.

   • Ardyce Hiller may have been born on March 21, 1916 and may have died on February 24, 1990 at Macomb, Michigan.
   • Ronald Gerald Hiller may have been born on May 30, 1918 and may have died on March 30, 2000 at Davison, Michigan.
   • Allen Hiller.
   • Anah Hiller.
2. Grace M. Butler was born in March of 1898.

   She married on October 14, 1914 at Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan to Sheldon Storey, son of Nathan Storey and Flora Ann Clenndenning. Sheldon was born on March 4, 1889. He appears to have died in November of 1962. At the time of his marriage Shelton was a farmer. The 1920 United States federal census listed his occupation as that of blacksmith, who owned his shop. In 1930, Shelton was working as a well driller. He owned his home, which was valued a $1,000.

   Sheldon’s World War 1 draft registration card, dated June 15, 1917, tells us that he was born on the date cited above and that he was a farmer by profession. He was described as being tall and slender with brown eyes and hair.

   Grace and Sheldon had, at least, two children:

   • Georgeanna A. Storey was born about 1917.
   • Flora M. Storey was born about 1926.
3. Jessie Butler was born in 1902.

   She married on April 3, 1920 at Riley Center, St. Clair, Michigan to George E. Cooper, son of James Cooper and Rebecca Peacock. At the time of his marriage George was a machine operator. He was born in August of 1899.

Sources:

1. Email from Carol Downham nee Hiller of Mishawaka, Indiana dated January 26, 2003.
2. Emails from Fred Buban of St. Clair shores, Michigan dated April 29, 2009 and April 30, 2009.
3. Headstone transcription from Downing Cemetery provided by Mr. Fred Buban of St. Clair Shores, Michigan.
4. United States Federal Census for:
   • 1900 for Wheatland Township, Sanilac, Michigan, SB 122 (7), EB 140, Sheet 2A (356), Dwelling 51, Family 51.
   • 1910 for Berlin Township, St. Clair, Michigan, SB 7, ED 86, Sheet 3A, Dwelling 32, Family 32.
   • 1920 for Ward 4 of Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, SB 145, EB 123, Sheet 5A, Dwelling 66, Family 91.
   • 1920 for Berlin Township, St. Clair, Michigan, SB 7, EB 91, Sheet 4A, Dwelling 84, Family 86.
   • 1930 for Berlin Township, St. Clair, Michigan, SB 15, ED 74-1, Sheet 2B, Dwelling 38, Family 38.
5. World War I draft registration card as found at http://www.ancestry.com for:
   • Frank S. Hiller.
   • Sheldon Storey.
6. Michigan Death Index for the period 1971-1996 as found at http://www.ancestry.com.
7. Social Security Death Index.
8. Certificate of Death for Addie Eliza Butler as found at http://seekingmichigan.org.
9. Return of Births for St. Clair County, Michigan for:
   • Frank Hiller.
10. Marriage registration as found at http://seekingmichigan.org for:
    • Jesse Butler and Addie Fletcher.
    • Bertha B. Butler and Frank S. Hiller, Jr.
    • Grace M. Butler and Sheldon Storey.
    • Jessie Butler and George E. Cooper.
11. Declaration of Intention to become an American citizen from the records of Sanilac County, Liber G Page 385.
12. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 as found at http://www.ancestry.com.
13. Family Search International Genealogical Index Ver 5.0. as found at http://www.familysearch.org.
14. Standard Altlas of Sanilac County Michigan compiled and published by Gro. A. Ogle & Co., Publishers & Engravers, 134 Van Buran St., Chicago, Illinois 1906.
15. Atlas of Sanilac County Michigan, E. R. Cookingham, Ypsilante, Michigan, 1894.

Return to Top of page.

Return to the Butler Family Index.

Return to Gruss'Um Hollow.