Samuel Stansbury Butler Family*

From the book Tilton Illinois Centennial 1884 - 1984

*Samuel Butler was born March 31, 1863 in Tilton, the son of William and Rosa Butler. He married Susan Graham in Masilon, Ohio on April 8, 1883. Susan was born April 2, 1862 in Newton, IL., the daughter of Francis and Savilla Graham. One of Susan's sisters Fannie, married Thomas F. Bolser of Tilton. They were members of the Methodist Church in Tilton. Samuel was a coal miner and village constable in 1897. He died February 15, 1947 in Tilton and his wife Susan having passed away on September 14, 1913. Both are buried at Songer Cemetery. This was taken from the "Tilton News and Views."
One of Samuel's daughters decided on the restaurant business. She was joined by two other sisters, Isla Butler Meade, along with Ruth Butler Koonce and Anna Butler Oteham, first worked in the Old Gauze House. After this they went out on their own and ran a restaurant by the Hemp Plant. They started up in June and the plant burned on December 11, 1937. Their memories reflect on all the coffee served to the firemen that fateful day. Soon after, Isla was asked by Sam Tilton to open near the railroad tracks, which she did. A small building didn't prove large enough, so the building was brought from the Hemp Plant location to the east side, south of the tracks. This was referred to as the Meade Cafe.
They don't remember playing with other children very much. They played in their own little play house and practiced their music. Their first grade teacher was Miss Rhoten and Charlie Draper was the one who taught them their multiplication which was the most helpful in operating a restaurant. Mr. Draper gave a gift of Penny pencils for learning the multiplication through the nineties.
Samuel and Susan Butler's children: William Frances Butler (B. March 19, 1889, D. Oct. 8, 1955) married Ester Jones September 6, 1914 - child Francis married
March 24, 1943 to Joseph Edward Meers.
Florence Pearl (B. March 13, 1886 - Nov. 15, 1972), married Charles Kirkhart. Child Grace.
Arthur Lee born July 6, 1888 married Effie Hodges 2nd Hazel Sherrow (child: William.)
Ruth Born November 25, 1890 - May 2, 1981 married Calvin Koontz November 29, 1909 children: Loraine M., Ann Greathouse.
Bess Born December 24, 1892, married Dec. 27, 1913 to Walter O. Phillips. (children: Martha and James) Bess was a seamstress in 1910.
Minnie born September 6, 1895 - January 8, 1974. Married Louis Sigman (no children)
Anna - born December 13, 1897, Tilton at Boyle House, married Clarence Martin - 2nd Harry Oteham. (children Nina, Alice.)
Isla (Born July 31, 1909 - D. Aug. 6, 1966 - 1st married Charles Woods. 2nd Albert Mead.
Child - baby girl May 19, 1902 (stillborn)
Dorothy - born August 5, 1905, married 1926 to Amos Carmack. Child Joe