George W. Butler - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

George W. Butler was on the older side when he signed up at the end of the war.  He enlisted in March, 1864, at the age of about 32 and mustered out on the same date in 1867, it would seem he served three years as a professional soldier in the U.S. Infantry in two different units.  His pension card shows the 16th and 25th Infantry.

In the 1890 census, however, he reported two years of service, with his only disability a hernia.

























Upon returning home, he married Margaret Mattocks on July 25, 1867.  In 1870, the census found them in Defiance with two small children: Francis, a son, 2, and Lucinda, 9 months, born in September 1869.  George worked as a day laborer.

By 1880, children George and Hattie were additions to the family.  George now had a skill - he was a carpenter and they had a home at 207 High Street in Defiance, a home which they had for many years and at one point, later in their lives, rented out.  On one census, it was listed as 207 Union Street, and it seems it may have been a corner property.

In 1910, their daughter, Lucinda Bodenburg, 40, moved in with them, along with her son, William, 4.  The census cited that Lucinda was married for 6 years, but does not give her the label as widow.

The couple grew old in their home until 1920 when George was 87 and Margaret 76.  Mary Batt lived with them then, a 77 year old boarder.  On June 2, 1920, George died at his home.  His obituary appeared on June 4 in the Defiance Crescent News:

George W. Butler was buried at Independence Cemetery.

Margaret Mattocks Butler lived on through 1938, when she celebrated her 94th birthday, which was reported in the paper on March 24, 1938..

She became quite ill and needed the help of her family.  In the Defiance Crescent News on November 23, 1938:

Margaret Mattocks Butler passed away on December 19, 1944.  Her obituary appeared in the Crescent News on December 20:

She was buried with her husband at the Independence Cemetery.

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)