Obituaries
TOBIAS BUTLER #1
14 May 1885 Martinsville Republican
Tobias H. Butler died May 8th, 1885, aged 93 years. He was born in Frederick City, Maryland, February 2d, 1792. When quite small his father moved to Ohio where he lived a short time. He moved from there to Kaskaskia, Missouri, where he lived about two years, when he moved from there to Jefferson county, Kentucky. When about 16 years old he went back to Baltimore and there learned the tanner’s trade. When the war of 1812 broke out he went to Baltimore and joined the army, remaining there about one year when he was discharged for disability. After his discharge from the army he went back to Kentucky. Soon after his return to Kentucky he was married to Elizabeth Waller, she living but a few years. Soon after her death he engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, which he followed for several years. About the year 1826 he was married to Sally Reed, she living only four months. In 1827 he came to Indiana and settled on the place on which he died, having a continuous residence there for 58 years. In 1828 he was married to Sally Goss by whom he had six children, four of whom are now living. She died in 1838. In 1855 while in Kentucky on a visit he was married to Elizabeth Russell, who is still living. He was a member of the M.E. church. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, having joined the order in 1814 in Kentucky; was always an active member until feebleness prevented his attending. He requested the Masons to bury him, and that he should be buried at precisely 12 o’clock May 10th which requests were fulfilled. The exercises were conducted by the Gosport Lodge, assisted by member of Martinsville, Eminence and Quincy Lodges. A large congregation was present to pay the last tribute of respect.
Posted by Glenda DeFord
TOBIAS BUTLER #2
Martinsville Republican
Uncle Toby Butler, one of the oldest citizens of the county, died at his home in Ray township last Friday, and was buried at high noon Sunday by the Masons, according to his expressed wish. Mr. Butler was ninety-three years old, and was for many years a citizen of this county. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his life was intensely patriotic. He was present at the funeral of Gen. Washington. The services were conducted by the Masonic order, and he then got his first knowledge of that society and a yearning desire to become a member. He was accepted into the fraternity at the age of twenty-one, and had been an active member for seventy-two years. He took a great pride in Masonry, in fact made it a hobby, and claimed with much satisfaction that he was the oldest Mason in the State. He was a very kind and genial gentleman of the old school; was a most entertaining conversationalista, and loved society. For the past few years he had been quite feeble, and not able to get around much, but he was always delighted to have people call upon him, and always entertained them, whether friends or strangers, in the most hospitable manner. He was one of the old land marks and will be greatly missed by his neighbors and acquaintances.
Posted by Glenda DeFord