Hiram Butler-obituary-13May1870 Peru Republican, p. 3, c. 2

An Old Citizen Killed.

On Wednesday of last week Hiram Butler, of Perry township, was kicked by a horse, from the effects of which he died in about five hours. Our information is that he was at the farm of his son, on Eel river, about two miles from home and that they were hauling rails with two horses and a wagon. Just at noon, when they were starting with the last load, one of the horses balked and Mr. Butler struck him with his cane receiving in return a kick in the side which stunned and prostrated him. He was carricd by friends to the house of his son, a physician was summoned and everthing possible was done to restore life and alleviate suffering; but he never spoke audibly again and death came with the evening.
The deceased was born in Warren county, Georgia, Sept. 1, 1808, and was therefore in his 62d year. At an early day he removed to wayne [sic.], Indiana, thence successively to Henry and Laporte counties, in the latter of which he was married. In 1834 he came to Miami county and lived one year near Mexico, removing thence to Perry township in 1835 where he continued to reside, on the same farm, until death.--- He was a positive man, possessing excellent judgment and good common sense. A little rough in his manner some times, he yet possessed a generous heart and was actuated by noble impulses. In 1849 he was elected one of the Commissioners for this county, and again in 1852, serving two terms in a manner creditably to himself and acceptably to the public. He was a strong partisan [sic.], but enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all his neighbors without regard to party. On the day of his death he was announced in the Sentinel as a candidate for County Commissioner, before the approaching Democratic Convention. His place in the party, in the affairs, of the township and among his neighbors can hardly be filled.
The funeral was attended on Saturday by a very large concourse of neighbors, friends and strangers, the remains being interred in Gilead Cemetery three miles from his late residence. The obsequies were performed by the Masonic Fraternity, of which the deceased was a member.