FRANKLIN BUTTERFIELD FAMILY
Franklin Butterfield, a son of Justus C. and Jane Elizabeth (Aten-Auten)
Butterfield, was born at Ross Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan,
on March 4, 1854. In 1860 his family moved to Buchanan County, Iowa
near Troy Mills and Walker. On May 7, 1873, he married Alice
Behethleum Gillam. Alice was born November 10, 1854, in Louisa
County, Iowa. They lived in Iowa five years and this is where their
first four children were born.
In 1878 the family moved to Knox County, Nebraska, and settled on
Section 35 of Walnut Grove Township near Venus, in the northwest
part of the township. Franklin was one of the first settlers of the
community and lived there until his death Marcy 4, 1937, on his 83rd
birthday. They had six daughters and six sons.
The youngest son, William “Lloyd” died November 20, 1974, in
Creighton, Nebraska, and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery there. On
November 22, 1955, William “Lloyd” bought Arthur’s (his brother’s)
farm adjoining their father’s place which “Lloyd” had inherited.
Arthur had moved to Omaha, Nebraska. ‘Lloyd’s” widow, who (in 1986)
lives in Creighton, owns this place, so it has been in the
Butterfield family over 100 years.
James Franklin, eldest child of Franklin and Alice Butterfield, was
born February 6, 1874, in Buchanan County, Iowa. He married Anna
Groeling on March 3, 1895. James died April 12, 1945, and was buried
at the Grimton Cemetery.
Ernest was born October 15, 1875, in Walker, Buchanan County, Iowa,
and remained single. He died March 26, 1954, at Norfolk, Nebraska,
and was buried at Orchard, Nebraska, in Antelope County.
Born October 8, 1877, in Buchanana County, Iowa, was Zimary Gilliam.
He married Josephine Dougherty on February 26, 1900. Zimary died
October 21, 1952, at Venus, Nebraska, and is buried in the
Enterprise Cemetery, Knox County, Nebraska.
Florence Belle, born October 4, 1879, in Linn County, Iowa, married
Harry Bright on October 4, 1897, in O’Neill, Nebraska. He died
January 6, 1940, and Florence died August 6, 1954. She is buried at
the Enterprise Cemetery in Knox County, Nebraska.
Mary Estelle was their first child born in Nebraska. Her birth date
is August 17, 1881, and she died June 11, 1897, at the age of 15
years, 9 months, and 24 days. She is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery,
Bazile Mills, Knox County, Nebraska.
Arthur, born August 28, 1883, at Venus, Nebraska, married Maude
Isabelle Beckley in January of 1905 at Center, Nebraska. Maude died
February 8, 1956, and Arthur died July 12, 1961 in Omaha, Nebraska.
Both are buried in the Evergreen Cemetery, Omaha, Nebraska.
Born July 14, 1886, in Venus, Nebraska, was Harriet Alice. She
married Arthur Boelter of O’Neill on May 16, 1905. She died August
23, 1964, and is buried in the Grimton Cemetery, near Venus,
Nebraska.
Velma Uphena was born May 25, 1890, at Venus, Nebraska, and married
Leonard “Reed“ Risinger on October 15, 1907. She died December 11,
1969, at Bloomfield, Nebraska, and is buried beside her husband at
the Enterprise Cemetery, Walnut Grove Township, Knox County,
Nebraska.
Velva Gertrude was born May 10, 1892, at Venus. She married Fred
Herman Ickler October 24, 1912, at Center. She died September 24,
1966, at Orchard, and is buried beside her husband in the Greenwood
Cemetery at Creighton.
Elizabeth Jane, born December 8, 1893, near Venus, married Russel
“Clark” Edson on November 20, 1912, at Center, Nebraska. She died
June 4, 1977, at Burlington, Washington. Burial was in the Greenwood
Cemetery, Creighton.
George A. born October 13, 1896 at Venus married Ione Smith June 22,
1927, at Venus. His second marriage was to Freda DeLong. George died
August 9, 1959, at Los Angeles, California, and he is buried at
Roosevelt Memorial park Cemetery.
William “Lloyd” was born October 22, 1897, at Venus and married
Hattie Ellen Caskey on June 22, 1927. He died November 20, 1974, at
Creighton and is buried at the Greenwood Cemetery there. His widow
owns the Franklin Butterfield homestead.
-Submitted by Mrs. William A. Butterfield
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