JOHN WESLEY BUTCHER
1860-1948
The Rev. John Wesley Butcher, 88, former Judge of Johnson County
from 1926 to 1930, died at 8:55 p.m., Friday night, October 1, at
the home of his son, Herschel, Williamsport, after a long illness
from a heart ailment.
Judge Butcher was born in Johnson County May 12, 1860, the son od
William and Mary Wells Butcher.
A leading political figure in the county he served as magistrate of
the Sixth District two terms prior to his election as County Judge.
It was during his term as County Judge that the road to Inez was
approved, and it was through his efforts that many of Johnson
County's roads were built and improved. Judge Butcher had been a
minister of the United Baptist Church for more than fifty years.
Having been one of the most active ministers in the county, Judge
Butcher perhaps had married more couples and attended more funerals
than any other person in the county.
He had been a member of the church since November 4, 1878, when he
joined Old Friendship United Baptist Church, where his membership
remained throughout the remaining 70 years of his life and where
his funeral services were held last Sunday.
His first marriage was to Miss Julia Davis, September 18, 1881.
To this union were born four children, Jeff and Atley Butcher, Mrs.
Grace Marcum, Williamsport, and another daughter, Alice, deceased.
Following the death of his first wife, who died Febuary 08, 1902,
Judge Butcher married Miss ______ to this union four children were
born, they are Herschel, with whom he was living at the time of his
death, Glenn Butcher of this city, and Mrs. Maxie Higgins, Newport,
Ky.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Leonard Walters and Rev.
Flem Arrowood. One of the largest crowds ever seen at a funeral at
Old Friendship attended.
Friends from all parts of the county and adjoining counties and
some from even greater distances were present. A large number of
floral offerings were sent by friends throughout this section.
At the funeral services the Rev. Ulysses Walters, Offutt, sang "On
Jordon's Stormy Banks," which song it had been agreed between Judge
Butcher and Mr. Walters, the one who outlived the other would sing
at his friends funeral.
Burial was in the family cemetery at Williamsport under the
direction of the Preston Funeral Home.
Paintsville Herald
Thursday
10-7-1948
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