ARTHUR BUTTERFIELD FAMILY
Arthur Butterfield was born August 28, 1883, near Venus, Walnut
Grove Township, Knox County, Nebraska. His parents, Franklin and
Alice Behethleum (Gilliam) Butterfield, were living on their farm in
the northeast section of the township on Section 35.
On January 21, 1905, Arthur, a farmer, married Maude Isabelle
Beckley of Miller Township, Knox County, Nebraska. The daughter of
Samuel and Chloe Melissa (Van Avery) Beckley was born January 5,
1883, she taught school in the rural districts in western Knox
County for 30 years until the early 1930s.
In 1915 they moved to Center, the county seat, where Arthur carried
mail from Center to Creighton. He was fascinated with automobiles
and enjoyed working on them. He worked part time in a garage.
In 1919 they moved back to the farm where they raised their six
children. In March of 1937 his father gave Arthur the farm adjoining
his place to the west. Franklin had given each of his children land.
By 1940 all the children were married. Finally about 1945 Arthur and
Maude moved to Omaha where some of their children lived. On November
22, 1955, Arthur sold his farm to his youngest brother, William
Lloyd Butterfield, who owned their father’s place which joined
Arthur’s on the east.
Arthur died in Omaha on July 12, 1961, and Maude on February 8,
1956. They are both buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Omaha.
Arthur and Maude’s children were Leah, Florence, Samuel, William,
Maude, and Barbara.
The eldest, Leah Alice, was born December 13, 1905, at Venus. On
September 27, 1924, she married Victor L. Gross. Their children are
Jeanne (Mrs. Charles C. Sweet) of Tempe, Arizona, and Joanne Fratt,
Tucson, Arizona.
Florence Belle, born September 18, 1907, at Venus, married Felix
John Vakoc on August 29, 1927. Their three children are Beverly
(Mrs. Harold Hecke) of Columbus, Nebraska. Patricia (Mrs. Marcus
Ford) of Papillion, with whom Florence makes her home, and Shirlee,
Omaha.
Samuel Gordan, the eldest son, was born March 18, 1911, at Venus. On
October 28, 1936, he married Olga Mae Dvorak. Their children are
Karen (Mrs. Fred Donze) of Tempe, Arizona, and Dennis Arleigh,
Omaha, who has one son, Jason Arley.
William Arleigh was born March 6, 1913, at Venus. On August 7, 1938,
he married Vivian Doane. They made their home in Midwest City,
Oklahoma. Their only child was a son, David Doane. William “Arleigh”
Butterfield served in the U. S. Army Air Force from 1943 to 1946 in
the Pacific and Japan.
Maude Melissa was born May 16, 1916, at Center. On June 17, 1934,
she was married to Vernon Clarence Vlasnik. Their children are
Robert Lee of Omaha and Myrna Kay (Mrs. Donald Mangimelli) of
Elkhorn, Nebraska. Maude had her name legally changed to Dorothea
and was usually called “Dottie.” She died August 31, 1970, and is
buried in the Evergreen Memorial Park, Omaha.
Barbara Adair was born January 7, 1919, at Center. On June 23, 1940,
she married Harold Van Buren Allison. The Alllisons had two
children, James and Linda (Mrs. James Annette), both of Columbus,
Ohio.
-Submitted by Mrs. Wm. A. Butterfield
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