Obit: Butler, Sophia (1806 –1897)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Butler, Lavigner, Guertin

---------Source: 19 Aug 1897 article provided by Lani Bartelt

Butler, Sophia (6 JUN 1806 – 17 AUG 1897)

A dispatch from Spencer, yesterday, says: "Grandma Butler, probable the oldest person in Clark County, Wisconsin, died this morning, aged 98. She came to the town of Unity (Clark Co., Wis.) over twenty years ago and has resided with her son, Abe Butler, a prosperous farmer. She was a leader in charitable work.

(Biographical information)

Birth: Jun. 6, 1806
Rouville
Monteregie Region
Quebec, Canada

Death: Aug. 17, 1897
Unity
Clark County
Wisconsin, USA

To the best of our knowledge:

Marie Sophie was born to Basile Poudrette dit Lavigne and Mary Anne Guertin on the 6 of June 1806. She was baptized at St. Joseph in Chambly, Quebec, Canada on the 11th of November 1806.

Sophie included among her siblings: Basile, Maruerite, David, Jean Baprtiste, Scholassstique, and Josephette.

On the 12th of November 1833, Sophie married Hubert Desnoyers dit Desmarais (aka Abram Butler) at St Joseph in Chambly, Quebec. They were parents to at least two children: Hubert (aka Abraham Butler) and Hermina. Some of our records show that the children were born in Quebec and some say that they were born in Vermont.

By 1852 the family appears in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, living in the Scott Street neighborhood. It is in the move from Quebec, via Vermont, to Wisconsin, that the family seems to have taken on the Anglican/American surname, Butler, which they use for business and government paperwork. See Abram's memorial for more information.

By the 1880 census, the whole family (all generations) left Fond du Lac and were found in Unity, Clark County, Wisconsin. Newspaper reports and family stories find them working saw mills, making furniture, and generally wood working.

Sophie's husband died in 1882 and she lived on until the 17th of August 1897. Her obituary, published on Aug 19 states "Grandma Butler, probably the oldest person in Clark County, died this morning, aged 98. She came to the town of Unity over twenty years ago and has resided with her son, Abe Butler, a prosperous farmer. She was a leader in charitable work."

The birth year and age here differ from census and church records. The census and church records are fairly consistent, and her tombstone read 90 years. Thus we believe that Grandma Butler died at a ripe old age, but not of 98.

Sophie is buried next to her husband and granddaughter, Mathilda in the Brighton Cemetery. They are located in the oldest part of the cemetery, in the south east corner, first row of graves. They rest beneath a aged white pine and are visited regularly by their descendents.

Family links:
Spouse:
Abram Hubert DesnoyersButler (1804 - 1882)

Children:
Abraham Hubert DesnoyersButler (1834 - 1904)*

*Calculated relationship

Inscription:
Sophia. Wife of A. Butler. Died Aug 17, 1897, Aged 90 years

Note: Wife of Abram Butler; native of Canada.

Burial:
Town of Brighton Municipal Cemetery
Marathon County
Wisconsin, USA