History of Early Pioneer Families of Hood River, Oregon. Compiled by Mrs. D.M. Coon
LESLIE BUTLER AND FAMILY
1900
Written by Truman Butler
Leslie Butler was born in Randolph County, Indiana, on
November 10, 1847. At the age of seventeen he moved, with his parents, to
Franklin County, Kansas, where on November 10, 1867 he was married to Carrie
Bixler.
To this union were born six children, four of whom are
living at this time: Mrs. George Dysart of Centralia, Wash., Mrs. Nellie
Kniskern of Muskegon, Mich., Mrs. Carrie Vaughn and Truman Butler of Hood
River. Mrs. Butler died in Hood River in 1917. Mrs. Vaughn is the wife of
C.H. Vaughn, Vice President of the Butler Banking Co. They have one daughter,
Virginia, eighteen years old, who will enter Hills College this fall.
Truman Butler has a daughter, Marian, twenty one years
old, a graduate of Hills College and employed at this time as a book-keeper
in the bank. His son Robert, eighteen years old is a senior in Hood River
High School. Mrs. Truman Butler died in Hood River in May 1923.
This article is, however, primarily a brief sketch of
the life of Leslie Butler who was for many years in the service of the
Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston Railroad, where he made the acquaintance
of C.C. Robert who was Master Mechanic of the railroad shops at Ottawa, Kansas.
In the fall of 1881 Mr. Hobart came to The Dalles, Oregon, to take charge
of the O.R. & N. Co. shops and Mr. Butler, together with others who were
associated with Mr. Hobart, came with him to seek their fortunes in the great
Northwest.
After working a few months in the shops at The Dalles,
Mr. Butler went into the grocery business there and for several years conducted
a profitable retail business. Later he disposed of the store and for a time
conducted a wholesale business, his principal account being that of the Western
Sugar Refinery of San Francisco.
In April, 1900 Hr. Butler, with his son, Truman Butler,
opened the first bank in Hood River and his life from that time is quite
well known to the Pioneers of Hood River Valley. In recent year's he has
found time to gratify a life long desire to devote a substantial portion
of his time to the service of his fellow men.
Mr. Butler had the privilege of serving with Simon Benson
and J.H. Albert on the first State Highway Advisory Board and through their
efforts the State Highway Commission was created, a member of the Northwest
Tourist Association he found the opportunity to assist in the Pioneer work
of building the foundation on which much of the activity in this line is
being carried on today.
At the present tine Mr. Butler is serving on the following
boards of trustees and directors: Y.M.C.A. for Oregon, Washington and Idaho,
State of Oregon Association For the Prevention of Tuberculosis, Oregon Social
Hygiene Society, W.C.T.U. Children's Farm Home, and the Doernbecher Memorial.
Hospital for Children.
He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Butler
Banking Company and has for twenty five years been an active worker in Riverside
Church.
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