The Republic
Columbus, Indiana
Thursday, February 10, 1881
Page 1

OBITUARY

Mrs. Eliza Butler was born in Kentucky, Aug. 21, 1813. In 1816 her parents moved to Jennings county near Vernon. February 1, 1838 she was united in marriage with Mr. George Butler, and together, in 1853, they came to Clay township in this county, taking up their abode at the place where she died. She was taken sick on Monday morning, Jan. 24, with typhoid pneumonia, undergoing at times intense suffering, until Wednesday evening, Feb. 2, at ten minutes past eight o'clock, when death ended her sufferings. Her age was 67 years 5 months and 11 days. She was the mother of six children, four of whom are living and who were present at her death. A great part of her anxiety while living and during her sickness was for the welfare of these children. As for herself, she trusted in the promise of Jesus; possessing that glorious faith which enabled her to approach and enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death without one single fear. During a great part of her sickness she was delirious; but at times her reason asserted its right to the throne and she talked freely of her childhood, youth, womanhood and her hopes of Heaven. At one of these intervals she called for her brother John, saying that she desired to talk with him. The expressions of that half hour were a beautiful exemplification of the power that faith in Christ has to take away the sting of death. "Well," said she, "I guess I must go. I cannot last much longer. Why should I not go now as well as at any other time? I am getting old and should I stay what benefit would I be to the living? I am ready to go if it is God's will. My hopes for the future rest on God's promises." At times she would point upward and exclaim: "Don’t you hear them singing away up there? Don't you hear them? It sounds so beautiful!" It made the watcher feel as though he were really in the presence of shining angels who were hovering over her waiting for the separation of the spirit from the flesh, that they might joyfully bear it away to the Father. On Tuesday afternoon she asked for some on to read further. The 23d and 33d Psalms were read and she listened intently. At her request, several of her favorite songs were sung. At their completion she said, "They are so sweet. I like to hear them." During her whole life from girlhood, she strove to do right, and altho' she did not join the church until 1870, her previous life was pure to the last. She desired to join the church sooner but hesitated fearing she had not received sufficient evidence of her acceptance. Therefore, her won humility or feeling of unworthiness delayed her entrance into the church. She joined the Baptist church at South Shilloh, then under the pastor-ship of Rev. Albert Carter, and during the last ten years of her life was a firm, active and without doubt a consistent member of that church. As a wife, she was a help-meet indeed, who delighted to make smooth her husband's pathway through life. Side by side they lived for forty three years, and one day over; and all who knew them knew that aside from their religious responsibilities they lived for each other. As a mother, she was kind and thoughtful; anxious for the temporal welfare of her children and earnest in her endeavors to lead them into the way of a Christian life. She died with the hope that her children would live such lives as would insure their reunion in Heaven. As a neighbor she never violated the Golden Rule-was ever ready to lend a helping hand in case of misfortune or sickness. Her departure will be deeply felt by friends and neighbors; for all who knew her loved her.