Funeral Announcement - Norman F. Butler

From the Walla Walla Union Bulletin:

NORMAN F. BUTLER, PIONEER, IS DEAD

ONE OF THE EARLIEST HOTEL KEEPERS, FARMERS AND CONTRACTORS HERE.

CAME WEST IN 1848, TO WALLA WALLA IN 1861 – BUILT FORT WALLA WALLA.

Norman F. Butler, aged 85 years, one of the oldest pioneers of the west and of this valley, died at 12:50 o’clock yesterday afternoon, at his home, 201 Clinton Street, following a three years’ illness caused by throat and stomach trouble. Two weeks ago he suffered a relapse.

Mr. Butler was one of the prominent businessmen of this city for many years and was widely known throughout the northwest.

He was born in Maine on April [9] 1828 and took part in the gold rush to California in 1849, sailing around Cape Horn. He stayed in California until 1861, when he moved to this valley.

Every old timer well remembers the “half-way” house” or hotel conducted by Mr. Butler on the upper waters of Mill Creek on the way to the Idaho mines. This was one of the oldest of its kind in the country.

After quitting his business there, Mr. Butler moved to this city and immediately settled upon a tract of land near the penitentiary, part of which is now occupied by residences in the Butler addition. Later on, Mr. Butler engaged in the planing mill business with the late John Dovall, their mill being located on the corner of Main and Spokane streets. The mill was widely known among the early settlers of the valley, and much of the finished lumber found its way to all parts of the surrounding territory.

After quitting this business, Mr. Butler moved to his farm land in Umatilla county, where he resided for about a year and a half and then returned to this city again and engaged in the business of contracting and building.

He built most of the older buildings and residences of this city, some most conspicuous being the present Lincoln school, Reynolds Hall, Memorial building at Whitman, all the old fort buildings and many business blocks.

In [1891?] he was a member of the city council here and always took an active interest in the affairs of the municipal government.

He was first married her in 1865 to Rebecca Boggs and there were four sons and three daughters, of which Mrs. J.J. Kauffman is the only survivor. After the death of his first wife, he was married to Miss Eleanor Brotherton who now survives him. He also […] grandchildren and a brother, T. Butler of Oakland.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon from the residence, 201 Clinton street, Rev. E. M. Clingal [?] of whose church he was an elder, officiating. Interment will be made in Mountain View cemetery.