Butler - Mahlon - Euinice 50
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Source: Crawfordsville Wekly Journal Friday 10 July 1896:?
Tuesday at their home 6 miles east of Crawfordsville, Mahlon and Eunice Butler celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, the anniversary of the beginning of a life which, while not without its trials and its bitter sorrows, has been a happy one upon the whole, and certainly one of use and profit to the community.
Fifty years ago this excellent couple began housekeeping in the home they still occupy. It has since been greatly added to until little or no resemblance to the original residence is left, but it is no pleasanter home to them now than when as bride and groom they came to the cottage with the future all before them. The celebration Tuesday was rather a quiet one, only the relatives and immediate friends being present, but it was a most happy one. A sumptuous dinner was served and the day was passed in pleasant social intercourse. It was an occasion long to be remembered most pleasantly by all who participated.
Mahlon Butler was born in Dinwiddie County, Va., seventy eight years ago, being the son of Lemuel Butler and wife. When Mahlon was but six years old his parents came to Indiana and settled in Wayne County, near Richmond, and there they lived until 1834, when the family came to Montgomery County, Lemuel Butler purchasing and entering together about five hundred acres of land, a portion of which farm Mahlon still holds and lives upon. Mahlon Butler had by earnest application succeeded in obtaining an education considerably in advance of the day, and his services were naturally called into requisition as a school teacher. He taught for several seasons and one winter he taught in Rush County where he met Miss Eunice Lacey, the daughter of Pierson Lacey, a prominent citizen of Rush County. The young couple was attracted to each other and fifty years ago were married. They came at once to this county, making the trip overland by easy stages. The groom had his home ready for his bride and they began together a life which has never flagged in its mutual devotion, nor wearied in its well doing. As members of the Society of Friends, their influence has been distinctively for good and for the religious life, and that influence has been a potent one, going far toward turning many a career in right channels. As neighbors and as friends they have a reputation for kindliness, forbearance and for charity that causes their name to be held in the highest regard in the community in which they have lived so long.
Of the five children born to them only one survives, Charles E. Butler, who is now residing on the farm of his father-in-law, Governor J. A. Mount, at Shannondale. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Butler are the only grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Butler, and the little ones are made much of. In politics Mahlon Butler was originally a Whig, but upon the dissolution of that party he became a Republican and has been a most consistent one ever since. In business he has been diligent and successful, and with his son he now owns over half a section of the finest improved land in Montgomery County.