George Hollenback Butler (1847 - 1914)

Born 2 Sep 1847 in Kingston, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Died 20 Mar 1914 at age 66 in Dorranceton, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States

Biography

Occupation

Occupation: Lawyer

Notes

Note N1441

A man's friends may through prejudice over-estimate his talents, his personal graces and worth, but communities do not err in their expressed verdict of the value of a man's life. Known far and near as a wise lawyer, an openhanded humanitarian, and patriotic citizen, George H. Butler was especially claimed by the Wyoming Valley section as its very own. The feeling held for him throughout the boroughs,' cities, and rural communities, many of whom he served in a professional capacity, was best expressed through his home borough, Dorranceton, in a council and citizens' meeting held to express sorrow at their great municipal and personal loss. It is usual for municipal and business bodies to pass resolutions of respect for a departed associate, but for a community in special meeting publicly to eulogize one whose only claim to such honor was that he had served them well as official, legal adviser, friend, and neighbor, was a touching tribute to the memory of a good man. The resolutions of respect adopted by the borough council and citizens' meeting of Dorranceton tell their own story:

Whereas, our esteemed friend and fellow citizen, George H. Butler, has been removed from our midst by the hand of death, and

Whereas, the citizens and town council of the Borough of Dorranceton have met to pay tribute to his memory as one who served this municipality as its first burgess and for many years its valued and efficient legal counselor, and also as one who had the welfare of the entire West Side close to his heart;

Therefore, be it Resolved, That we extend to his bereaved family our sincere and heartfelt sympathy.

The official expression of the value of his life to the community was followed by addresses by prominent men of the borough, who testified to Mr. Butler's worth as a good neighbor and a true friend, as a zealous and untiring worker, as a careful, diligent official, as a competent legal adviser, and who spoke of his charity and his interest in borough welfare as official and citizen. To this public expression the legal fraternity, through their associations and other bodies with which Mr. Butler was connected, and a host of personal friends, added both written and spoken eulogy of their long time friend and brother.

He acquired an education in private Wilkes Barre schools kept by W. S. Parsons and AV. R. Klingman. and after completing preparatory courses in these schools entered Wyoming Seminary, where he completed his classical course and was graduated. He then began the study of law under the preceptorship of Edward P. and J. Vaughn Darling. completing his studies, passing the required examinations. and gaining admission to the Luzerne county bar, which he adorned from the date of admission, June 6, 1881, until his death, a period of thirty-three years. He was in turn admitted to the higher courts. and conducted an extensive business in all, State and Federal. He was attorney for many municipalities, and under his professional guidance important questions affecting municipalities were brought to decisive issue. He loved his profession. delighted in its intricate points, gave special study to municipal law, and was a recognized authority, sought in consultation when not engaged as counsel. He was a hard worker, and his high standing as a lawyer was gained not more through his learning than through his persistent industry. He read, studied, and starched for precedent and light, and never appeared in a cause without first mastering its every detail. He won and held the highest respect of the bench and bar, was helpful to the young lawyer. was modest and unassuming, and the friend of all.

He was deeply interested in many forms of charitable work, and as secretary and member of the Central Poor Board of the county gave much of his time to judiciously distributing relief to the poor of the valley. He was greathearted and sympathetic, thoughtful of others, and willing at all times to sacrifice his personal comfort to alleviate distress. He was actively connected with the United Charities, and in an unostentatious way aided in State-wide charity. He introduced a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature having for its object the relief of deserted or neglected wives. His deepest concern was ever manifested in the welfare of Dorranceton. He was connected with every movement for its progress and betterment, while the legal needs of the borough were in his charge as attorney from the date of incorporation until his death. That he was loved and appreciated, the foregoing resolutions attest. He was a member of the various legal associations of the district and State, and was a member of the Wyoming Commemorative Association, which he served as corresponding secretary. He gained admission to the Pennsylvania Society, Sons of the Revolution, through right of descent from Colonel Zebulon Butler, General Lord Butler. Major Ezekiel Peirce, and Abel Peirce, all Wyoming Valley soldiers of the Revolution.

In political faith Mr. Butler was a Republican, but his profession was his great passion, and to it he gave his life. He served as director and secretary of the Central Poor District of Luzerne county, not for publicity. but because lie loved the work, and served Dorranceton in a professional capacity because he was genuinely interested in his borough and desired to serve it in the manner in which he could be most useful. In church communion he was affiliated with the Episcopal faith. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Thomas Project page.

• Butler-5500 was created by John McVey through the import of Butler-64.ged on Jan 11, 2014.