The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1908-09-18
WILLIAM BUTLER PASSED AWAY
Was One Of Paw Paws Pioneer
Business Men. Respected
by ALI Who Knew Him.

business men of Paw Paw, passed away
last Friday. The funeral services wer G
held at his late residence Monday after
noon. Rev. @. G.. Stansell offered pray
er, and at the request of the family and
TO carry out desire expressed many
times by the deceased during his life
time. Judge Benz. f. Heckert made some
remarks on his life and character. AS a
mark of respect and esteem for the de
ceased, the business houses closed be
tween the hours Of aud 4.
Following are the remarks in full as
made by Judge Heckert:
Friends and neighbors:-
1T is not often layman is called upon
4 ia christian community to make re-
marks over the remains of fellow lay
man, yet 1t is duty have been called
on to perform In several instances where
friends or the kinsmen of a departed
friend have requested me to do so. The
occasion Is a sad one and many hearts
are saddened on account of it. The
scythe OF time is always busy reaping its
harvest of death. Every human being
will sooner or later fall before its keen
edge and there will always be sad hearts
and sadness.
The inevitable recurrence of these sad
events never fails to furnish food for
serious and sober reflection. Particu-
larly is this true with those who have
passed the summit and are descending
the downward slope of life with tottering
and unsteady steps, many OF whom are
even now resting under the shadow OF a
twilight which is the last relay or halt
ing before the sudden closing of tilmy
eyes to all earthly things. But | did
not come here to moralize. | came 10
speak of the life and career of William
Butler, whose mortal remains he here
before Us unheeding and motionless.
"He was born at Rochester, n y
January 2, 1916. and was consequently
81 years of age at his death. His mother
died when be was less than four years
old. His father, Ellis G.. Butler, with
this infant child emigrated to Paw Paw
in 1850. In 1854 the father married the
woman who continues TO be his widow,
who is spared to be present here today
and who mourns the taking off of the
deceased as sincerely as if be had been
of her own flesh aud blood, This speaks
volumes for the quality of this heart
that has ceased 20 beat For 80 years
they have for the most part lived under
the same roof, been il almost constant
comp partnership, and never once during
all that time did William speak a harsh
word to his foster mother, never did he
fail to show this mother the most fiial
regard aud devotion.
And he was equally considerate of
the feelings of his sister and the other
Z members of the family. His, indeed,
was a heart of tenderness and love.
Equable and we'll balanced must have
been his mind Loyalty to his own
made him the idol of their hearts.
"Mr. Butler, the father, soon after set
thing here established grocery business
and conducted the same up to the time
of his death in 1888. William assisted
him in the conduct and management of
that business the greater part of the
time up to the event of his fathers
death, which employment gave him a
thorough knowledge and understanding
of it, and during such association he ap
propriate TO himself that high standard
of probity and fair dealing for which
his father was SO justly distinguished.
After his fathers death, William and
this mother aud sister continued that
business under the Old firm name of f..
q. Butler d Co., which has been and
still is in prosperous condition. The
mutations OF time and tue changed con-
ditions of business and business methods
never have imperiled the stability OF
their business, because it rested on the
firm foundation of unwavering honesty
and absolute fair dealing, William But.
Ter never gave or allowed to be gwen to
any customer short weights. He never
had sliding scale of prices, but sold to
all alike. He always gave value for
value and never made or allowed to be
made false charges on his books against
anyone. He was an honest man, the
MODEST work of God. Such an epitaph
on his tombstone would portray the
exact truth.
He was not brilliant, but was endow
ed with a rugged common sense, which
hau he enjoyed the advantages of a lilo
erdl eQucdLtOu, WOuIu law utQe 0llu
powerful member OF society. There was
nothing snowy about him, but on the
contrary he was substantial and reliable
He was without enemies, and all who
knew him we'll were his friends. Ii,
was a man Of many peculiarities anc
eccentricities, but who does not hav,
them. He was positive in his opinion:
and could give reasons for them. Hi
reasons we're satisfactory to him, how
ever much others might differ from him
He believed that liberty of conscience
and liberty of thought and speech wer
God given, and who shall decry him TO
his honest beliefs. There is but on
Judge and that Judge never errs. III,
has gone into the presence OF that judg
and will not be judged from finit
standpoint. Whatever his faults ant
foibles, let US cover them with the broat
mantle OF charity, remembering only tn
good be did.
Robert Burns, the poet, speaking o
the humble peasants Of his time al