Pawnee City Republican Newspaper, 8/3/1918
PIONEER PASSES TO HER FINAL REWARD
Lydia Story Butler, the oldest child of Harrison and Elizabeth McClay [McClave] Story, was born November 23, 1837, in Jefferson County, Ohio, where she lived until sixteen years of age when she removed with her parents to Bloomington, Indiana. She was educated in the common schools, and in a Presbyterian academy for young women at Bloomington. She desired a university education, but women at that time were not admitted to those institutions. She taught a country school for one year, and while so engaged, met David Butler, whom she married in Monroe County, Indiana, January 25, 1860. She was a handsome bride and well fitted by nature and education to fill the place of responsibility which she later so well graced.
Her father and mother reared eight children, of whom two brothers, John C. and James M. Story, and two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Minzer [Miser], and Miss Alice Story are living. Her father died in 1885, and her mother in 1914; two brothers, Albert S. and R.W. died last year.
In June after her marriage she came with her husband to Pawnee City, at that time a hamlet of half a dozen houses on the raw prairie of the Great American Desert, as the geographies of that day named it. They came by railroad to St. Joseph and from that city by wagon to their new home. She performed her full share as a helpmate in those pioneering days, and struggles with the inconveniences and hardships in the same philosophic spirit and energy that characterized her in joys and troubles throughout her whole life. Among those who lived in Pawnee City when she came were Joseph Woods, W.H. Curtis, J.J. Fry (Grandma Manning's son-in-law), Grandma Manning (Idella Manning's grandmother), W.B. Raper (her husband's business partner), F.F.Lining, J.P. Morton and J. L. Turner.
Her husband, a leader of men, soon became interested in civic affairs and during the important period of Nebraska's early history Mr.and Mrs. Butler took an active and prominent place, and both of them even at that early date were strong advocates of woman suffrage, and of measures to insure better recognition of the legal rights of married women.
In 1863, she returned to Indiana with her two children for a visit, and while there both children died. She often said that the death of those little ones and her lonely return home was one of the hardest trials of her life.
In 1866, David butler was elected the first governor of Nebraska, and early in 1867, they went to the city of Lincoln, the new capitol, to reside and remained there until 1874. These years were a stormy and eventful political period for the state, and for governor and Mrs. Butler. During the gubernatorial years, Mrs. Butler filled her station with ability and grace. She was prepossessing, calm, dignified, and a brilliant, charming conversationalist. She spent much time in charitable work; throughout her whole life she has been generous both with her time and means in charitable helpfulness.
When reverses both financial and political came, and they were disastrous enough to overwhelm and except the strongest, she was unruffled and undiscouraged, still maintaining her calm dignity and loftiness of mind and purpose. They left their home in Lincoln, (the present club house of the Lincoln Country club) and moved to their farm west of Pawnee city. In the years succeeding this, ex-governor Butler maintained his active interest and work in civic and political affairs, in which she still occupied her full share. It was here on the farm that they reared their family of 6 children. Her husband died there in 1891, and one son, Ozias, died at the age of sixteen. After her husband's death she continued to reside on and manage the farm until about eight years ago, when she came to Pawnee City to pass her remain days.
For many months, a lingering, wasting illness brought her much pain and distress, and although suffering with great anguish and confined to her bed for many long and wearing months, she still retained her wonderful fortitude, her uncomplaining serenity, and exalted, unconquerable spirit.
She leaves four children surviving, three sons; Seth, Darius and Paul, and one daughter, Mrs. Violet McCoy; whose faithful ministrations and devoted care have given all that loving hearts and willing hands could do to soothe the lingering pain and the long days of distress, until death came to her relief on August 3rd.
She has been a devout and active member of the Christian church for more than fifty years. The joys and sorrows, the triumphs and defeats, the trials and successes of such a life can not be told in words. This good woman whose span of life we assured great an epoch in the history of our state; whose abilities, energetic and efficient work reached so wide an element and in such varied ways, has lived a life so unusual that it is impossible to satisfactorily compress its history in any brief statement; but as a leader, Christian worker, neighbor, friend, wife and mother, her character merits a recognition which cannot be here fully expressed. Which is most deeply felt by all who knew her best.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, August 5, 1918, at 4:00 o'clock, at her late home in this city, conducted by Rev. A. G. Hastings, pastor of the United Presbyterian church. Interment was made by the side of her husband in the Pawnee City Cemetery.
Many thanks to Find A Grave contributor Don Winfrey for permission to use this information.