SDA Obituary:
Pacific Union Recorder 1960, Mar. 7, 1960:
"MENEFEE--Lucy Menefee was born in Iowa Feb. 22, 1871; and died Jan. 10, 1960, in La Verne, Calif. She had been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 50 years; she was a member of the Dorcas Society and contributed regularly to the Voice of Prophecy for many years. At the age of 75 she won a prize for memorizing and reciting verbatim the book of Revelation. She is survived by 3 sons, Doctors Leslie, Lawrence, and Hershall [sic - Hersel]; 2 daughters, Mrs. Daisy B. Swarthout [sic - Swartout] and Mrs. Letha B. Hansen; 10 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild."
m. (1) 22 Feb 1888, in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, James Butka.
James Butka married Lucille C. Fields who was eight years his junior with the marriage taking place on her 18th birthday (we believe even though the marriage certificate and application of the same day says she is age 17) at the Pavillion Hotel.
[Note: The Pavillion Hotel in Taylor was named to the Historic Register of Places in December, 1989.]
Married with the consent of her father, he being present.
James Butka, Groom, Age 25, White, Place of Birth Iowa, Residence Loup Co., Father's Name Francis Butka, Mother's Maiden Name Barbary Cobat.
Lucy E. Fields, Bride, Age 17, White, Place of Birth Iowa, Residence Loup Co., Father's Name Charles Fields, Mother's Maiden Name Pheabe Myers.
Loup County Records (Judge's Office) Book 1:
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska: This certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888, at the Carter Arlet in said County, according to the law and by authority, I duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE Mr. James Butka and Mrs. Lucy E. Fields. And these were present as witnesses H. E. Carter & E. Charles Fields. Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888. Aruleurnsery, A Judge.
NOTE: We have a copy of the marriage license of Lucy & James Butka.
We also have a copy of the AFFIDAVIT ON APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE & MARRIAGE LICENSE (Loup County Marriage Record Book 1).
They had five children: Daisy Maude, Leslie Harrison, Lawrence James, Hersel Eugene, and Letha Luella.
6-15-1906: Journal Entry ("Divorce Judgment") In the District Court within and for Garfield County, Territory of Oklahoma: James Butka, Plaintiff, vs. Lucy C. Butka, Defendant: Summary: Both had attorneys present, James Butka was present, but Lucy was not present in court and failed to introduce evidence. The court found the Plaintiff [Father] to be the proper person to be awarded the care and custody of the minor children, to wit; Daisy age 17, Leslie age 16, Laurence (sic) age 14, Hersel age 11 and Letha age 5. The court also made into an order the parties' written agreement and contract regarding property rights that Defendant received $550.00 in lieu of any interest in any real or personal property. The Plaintiff, James Butka, was granted and decreed an absolute divorce, which shall not take effect and be in full force until the expiration of six months. [Code JE 14392, 2406, 6-16-06 decree].
L. Aileen Butka provides:
Grandfather James Butka was a hardworking, serious farmer all his life, which was approximately 88 years. When he was 25 years old he married a pretty, curly-haired, blue-eyed, fun-loving 16-year-old, Lucy Fields. Within a few years five children were born, the oldest and youngest were girls, with three boys between.
James, nearly ten years older than Lucy, was a rather stern man without much of a sense of humor. His very young wife struggled along, but after around 17 years of marriage, all work and no play, could bear it no longer. She left her husband and family, taking Letha, still a baby, with her. My father, Hersel, the next youngest, was only nine years old. The eldest, Daisy, was around 15 or 16, and she did her best to care for her three brothers, until James remarried.
m. (2) 25 Mar 1907, William "Bill" Charles Menefee. No issue. Divorced Bef Apr 1930 Census (See his record).
Married just after 1-15-1907 when her divorce from James Butka became final.
Lucy played hymns tolerably while William preached. It seems that Lucy had a very keen mind or maybe a photographic memory (see SDA obituary - memorized the Bible book of Revelations at age 75).
L. Aileen Butka provides:
Meanwhile, Lucy found her true love in Bill Menefee, and they married. Bill was an itinerant preacher, and Bill and Lucy traveled from place to place holding Evangelistic meetings. Bill preaching, and Lucy playing the piano. Between times they worked on farms until they'd saved enough to launch the next Evangelistic series. Theirs was what we today would call an Independent ministry, and Lucy always looked back on these years as the happiest time of her life.
He was a horse trainer. (Brenda Butka).
He died in an automobile accident. (Family Source).
m. (3). After 1930, Mr. Lee. Lucy married a third time to a Lee (probably his surname), but it was short-term and this marriage didn't work out. They divorced. Lucy kept her second marriage's surname of Menefee afterward. No issue.
-------------
1880 U. S. Federal Census (June 21 & 22): Beaver, Decatur County, Kansas:
Family History Library Film 1254379 NA Film Number T9-0379 Page Number 305C
Roll: T9_379; Family History Film: 1254379; Page: 305C; Enumeration District: 59; Image: 0173.
Dwelling 219, Family 219: (Misindexed under Phields instead of Fields)
Charles Phields, White, Male, Age 35, (Head), Married, Occupation Farmer, # mos. unemployed X, Cannot Write Yes, Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Phebe Phields, White, Female, Age 30, Wife, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace Massachusetts, Mother's Birthplace Massachusetts.
Lucy Phields, White, Female, Age 9, Daughter, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Thomas Phields, White, Male, Age 4, Son, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Carrie Phields, White, Female, Age 2, Daughter, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Dwelling 220, family 220: [Brother & Family]
Zac Fields, White, Male, Age 31, Married, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed X, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Sarah Fields, White, Female, Age 27, Wife, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace Illinois.
Horace Fields, White, Male, Age 6, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Arthur Fields, White, Male, Age 4, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Minnie Fields, White, Female, Age 2, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Dwelling 230, Family 230: [Brother - on next census page from Charles & Zachary]
Thomas Fields, White, Male, Age 41, Married, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed X, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Lida Fields, White, Female, Age 30, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Cyrus Fields, White, Male, Age 13, Single, Occupation At Home, Cannot Read Yes, Cannot Write Yes,
Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Lena Fields, White, Female, Age 11, Daughter, Single, Occupation At Home, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
1885 Nebraska State Census (June 3): Elkhorn Precinct, Dodge County, Nebraska.
Enumerator: E. G. Brugh, Enumeration District: 222, Page: 2, Locality: Midway Borough
C. H. Fields, Age 42, White, Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Pheby L. Fields, Age 33, White, Birthplace New York.
Lucy C. Fields, Age 14, White, Birthplace Iowa.
T. B. Fields (should be T[homas]. B.), Age 19, White, Birthplace Iowa.
M. C[arrie] Fields, Age 6, White, Birthplace Iowa.
L[urinda] A. Fields, Age 2, White, Birthplace Iowa.
Also listed is his brother and his family: Elkhorn Precinct, Dodge County, Nebraska
Date: 03 Jun 1885
Enumerator: E. G. Brugh, Enumeration District: 222, Page: 3, Locality: Midway Borough
S. [should be Thomas] J. Fields, Age 49, White, Birthplace New York.
Lida Fields, Age 40, White, Birthplace Wisconsin.
Cyrus Fields, Age 17, Birthplace Iowa.
Edgar L. Fields, Age 4, Birthplace Kansas.
Alalola M. Fields, Age 5/12, Birthplace Nebraska.
Book: Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too (1990) by Kevin Brown:
"DISTRICT #18 OVITT:
District 18 was commonly known as Ovitt. It was organized August 26, 1886, and was originally called Butka because at that time the Butka family was living in the area. The Butka Post Office originally opened in Loup County in 1886 with Frank Butka the postmaster. In 1894 this office moved to Rock County where it remained in operation until about 1935. Frank Butka was the petitioner for the new school district which would become #18. On September 10, 1886, Frank Butka was elected director, Peter Peterson the moderator, and Charles E. Whiting the treasurer of this school. County superintendent records show these three were reelected in July 1887; and in 1888, James Butka and a Carlisle were named to the board of education."
1889 Board: Frank Butka, Director, Butka, Nebraska.
1890: Frank Butka.
1891: Frank Butka / James Butka (appointed).
1893: Jane H. Butka, Director, Butka. [Note: This is Henrietta Jane Butka, nee Fisher, Mrs. Francis B. Butka.]
Notes by author: Butkas may've moved to Boyd County, NE about 1894. Dist. #18 during Kinkaid Era was known as Fox School. Fox family had most children in school at that time.
"The first teacher listed for District 18 was Lucy Fields. She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate."
Lucy C. Fields was teaching in District #18 Butka about the time she was married to James Butka.
She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate.
Lucy C. Fields also taught a term in District #17 Loup County.
1889: Teacher: Lucy Fields, salary $16 per month; 3rd grade teaching certificate; 3 month term.
Members of the board of School District #17: Robert Hesselgesser, Director, Nunda, NE; J.E. Hartford, Moderator; John Hesselgesser, Treasurer. Twenty-two school aged pupils were listed in the district as eligible for state aid apportionment for District #17.
The information came from the County Superintendent's (first) book in the Loup County Court House and was recorded in the book Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too: A History of Nine Loup County Schools (1990) by Kevin Brown (Marcelline, MO: Walworth Publications, 1990), page 23.
C.H. Fields (Lucy's father) was the Loup County Treasurer in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, from approximately 1889 to 1892.
Evidence for Mr. Fields serving as Loup County Treasurer from approximately 1889 to 1892 come from Loup County records and were recorded in the book, Loup County Centennial Book, 1883-1983, by the Centennial Commitee, Burwell, NE: Tribune Publishing, 1984, page 197, by Virginia Perkins Doty, under the Chapter XIV: Elected Officials of Loup County, 1883-1982. She cites as her sources Books 1-4 in the Clerk's Office of the Loup County Court House.
C.H. Fields' wife is listed as Phebe Myers Fields and they were listed as married in 1869 in Iowa.
I show their children and birth dates listed as S.B., 1866; M.C., 1879; and L.A., 1883.
We show Lucy's name as Lucy Charlotte Fields.
Pheobe was the first teacher in Loup County, Nebraska working three months for $20.
Phoebe Lucille Myers (Fields) was also listed in the Business Directory for 1890-1891 in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska: "Mrs. C. H. Fields Millinery."
James and Francis B. Butka were listed in the Farmers list for 1890-1891.
On January 1, 1887, James Butka, whom she would marry in February 1888, commenced his own homestead settlement for prairie grazing and farming, building his first house in the Spring neighboring his brother Frank's homestead, in Orvitt District 18, in northwest Loup County, Nebraska, on the Calamus River.
Also about 1887, and shortly before she was married, Lucy was a young school teacher at age 16, by today's standards. In fact, "[t]he first teacher listed for District 18 was Lucy Fields. She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate." "Lucy C. Fields also taught a term in District #17 Loup County."
(Book: Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too (1990) by Kevin Brown).
m. (1) 22 Feb 1888, in the Pavillion Hotel, Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, James Butka.
On February 22, 1888, in front of a judge, James Butka married Lucy E./Lucille C./Lucy Charlotte Fields, in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, on her 17th birthday at the Pavillion/Carter Hotel (built one year earlier in anticipation of the railroad which never came and yet this hotel is still in existence today [2016] and was designated a historic building in 1989). She was about eight years his junior and was married with the consent of her father who was present. (See Marriage Certificate & See 1893 Land Homestead & See Wikipedia re hotel).
"AFFIDAVIT ON APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE
I, James Butka of Loup County, State of Nebraska, aged 25
years, do solemnly swear that I am acquainted with Mr. James Butka
and Miss Lucy E. Fields, who are parties for the marriage of whom a LICENSE
is applied for; that said James Butka is of the age of 25 years and upwards,
of sound contracting mind, and unmarried,
that said Lucy E. Fields is of the age of 17 years and upwards, of sound
contracting mind, and unmarried, & has the consent of her father he being present
and may lawfully contract and be joined in marriage.
I furthermore do solemnly swear that the following schedule, containing the names of the aforesaid parties, their age, color, place of birth, residence and parents'
names, is correct in every particular, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, to wit:
NAMES OF THE PARTIES
James Butka Groom.
Lucy E Fields Bride.
AGE
25
17
COLOR
White
"
PLACE OF BIRTH
Iowa
Iowa
RESIDENCE
Loup Co
" "
FATHER'S NAME
Francis Butka
Charles Fields
MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME
Barbary Cobate
Pheabe Myers
James Butka, Applicant.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, 22nd Feb. 1882
AMGurnsey
A Judge"
"MARRIAGE LICENSE.
The State of Nebraska, }
Loup County. } ss.
Office of the County Judge
License is hereby granted to any person authorized to solemnize marriages according to the laws
of said State, to join in marriage Mr James Butka
and Miss Lucy E. Fields of the County aforesaid, whose ages, resi-
dence, etc., are as follows:
NAMES OF THE PARTIES.
James Butka Groom.
Lucy E Fields Bride.
If blood relation, in what degree? [blank]
AGE.
25
17
COLOR.
White
"
PLACE OF BIRTH.
Iowa
Iowa
RESIDENCE.
Loup Co
" "
FATHER'S NAME.
Francis Butka
Charles Fields
MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME.
Barbary Cobate
Pheabe Myers
And the person joining them in marriage is required to make due return of the annexed certificate to the County Judge of said County, within
ninety days, of the names of the parties, time and place of marriage, and by whom solemnized.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said court at me
office in Taylor in said County, the 22nd day
of February A.D. 1888
/s/ AM Gurnsey C._____ Judge.
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE.
To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska:
This Certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb A.D. 1888, at
the Carter Hotel in said County, according to law and by authority, i duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE
Mr James Butka and Miss Lucy E Fields
And these were present as witnesses H E Carter & Charles Fields
Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb A. D. 1888
/s/ AMGurnsey
A Judge"
Loup County Records (Judge's Office) Book 1:
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska: This certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888, at the Carter Hotel in said County, according to the law and by authority, I duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE Mr. James Butka and Mrs. Lucy E. Fields. And these were present as witnesses H. E. Carter & E. Charles Fields. Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888. AMGurnsey, A Judge.
[Note: The Pavillion Hotel on Main St. Square in Taylor, Nebraska is a historic building that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
It was built by Herman Carter in 1887 in anticipation of arrival of the railroad, which was just 13 miles east in Burwell, Nebraska. However, the railroad never came.
The site has also been designated NEHBS #LP03-1." -Wikipedia.]
[NOTE: We have a photo of the Pavillion Hotel, then and now (2005). "By the way, the correct spelling for the hotel DOES indeed include a double "ell", why I'm not sure, but that is the correct spelling. The hotel in Taylor was built in 1887 by a couple originally from Vermont, and they named the building after the famous "Pavilion" in Montpelier, VT, where the Vermont State Historical Society is located. We have enjoyed correspondence with employees from the Pavilion in Vermont, and they loved receiving a ceramic replica of our Pavillion! Marah Sandoz of Taylor, who owns the old hotel with her husband Loren, makes the replicas." -Kevin Brown, Taylor, Nebraska 68879, President, Loup County Historical Society.
The wedding took place in the Pavillion Hotel in Taylor (picture at right--due north of Kearny on hwy 183).
They both appear in the Wedding Index for Loup County Vol 1, p 65.
They had five children: Daisy Maude, Leslie Harrison, Lawrence James, Hersel Eugene, and Letha Luella.
James and Francis B. Butka were listed in the Farmers list for 1890-1891. (The Farmers List is on-line for 1890-1891on our Loup County website and that's where that information came from.)
C. H. Fields was elected Treasurer of Loup County, Nebraska and Frank Butka was a member of the first Board of Education.
NOTE: We have land records of the Butkas, post office records, and more from Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska.
NOTE: "A friend of mine, Margaret Hughes Dunne, who is past 90, told me her mother Anna Schubert Johnson Hughes boarded with the Butkas and herded cattle in exchange for the privilege of attending school at District #18 Loup County.
At that time the school was known as "Butka School", and the Butkas were prominent school board members. Later, the school became known as "Fox" and still later as "Ovitt".
My mother taught 3 terms at the Ovitt School from 1938 to 1941. It was her favorite school of all those she taught in.
You can't imagine how isolated this country is where the Butkas homesteaded--and yet how beautiful!"
-Kevin Brown, Taylor, Nebraska 68879, President, Loup County Historical Society (6-1-2005).
Post offices in Loup County between 1870 and 1990 include Butka (Internet Historic Info. on Loup Co., NE).
In 1894, the Butka Post Office was moved from northern Loup County to a home in Rock County quite a few miles away where it operated until it was closed in 1933. So the "Butka Post Office" operated from 1886 to 1933 all together.
Phoebe Lucille Myers (Fields) was also listed in the Business Directory for 1890-1891 in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska: "Mrs. C. H. Fields Millinery."
Lucy Fields was teaching in District #18 Butka about the time she was married to James Butka.
She also taught a term in District #17 Loup County.
C.H. Fields (her Father) was the Loup County Treasurer in Taylor (Nebraska) from approximately 1889 to 1892.
Lucy Fields was apparently born in 1871 and married in 1888.
C.H. Fields' wife is listed as Phebe Myers Fields and they were listed as married in 1869.
I show their children and birth dates listed as S.B., 1866; M.C., 1879; and L.A., 1883.
We show Lucy's name as Lucy Charlotte Fields.
1900 U. S. Federal Census: Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma;
Roll: T623 1336; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 53.
Dwelling 175, Family 175
James Butka, Head, White, Male, Born Mar. 1863, Age 37, Married, # Years Married 12, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Bohemia, Mother's Birthplace Bohemia, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed 0, Read/Write/Speak English Yes,
0wn Home, Free of Mortgage, Farm, # of farm 173.
Lucy C. Butka, Wife, White, Female, born Feb. 1871, Age 29, Married, # Years Married 12, # of Children 4, # of Children Still Living 4, Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace Canada, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Daisy M. Butka, White, Female, born Dec. 1888, Age 11, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Leslie Butka, Son, White, Male, born May 1890, Age 10, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Lawrence Butka, Son, White, Male, born Nov. 1891, Age 8, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Hersel Butka, Son, White, Male, born Dec. 1894, Age 5, Single, Birthplace Oklahoma, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
1904-1906: Lucy left her first husband James Butka to marry a younger man, William "Bill" C. Menefee (a traveling preacher) and left all her children living with James Butka, except for Letha for a while.
Her daughter Letha Luella Butka told her daughter Juanita Aileen Hansen that she remembers when she was about four years old that her mother put her in a carriage and left. Of course, her father came after her and took her back.
Aileen Butka remembers her dad was 9 years old when his mother left and that Daisy did most of the "mothering".
Brenda Jo Butka remembers that her dad was 10-12 years old at the time his parents separated.
6-15-1906: Journal Entry ("Divorce Judgment") In the District Court within and for Garfield County, Territory of Oklahoma: James Butka, Plaintiff, vs. Lucy C. Butka, Defendant: Summary: Both had attorneys present, James Butka was present, but Lucy was not present in court and failed to introduce evidence. The court found the Plaintiff [Father] to be the proper person to be awarded the care and custody of the minor children, to wit; Daisy age 17, Leslie age 16, Laurence (sic) age 14, Hersel age 11 and Letha age 5. The court also made into an order the parties' written agreement and contract regarding property rights that Defendant received $550.00 in lieu of any interest in any real or personal property. The Plaintiff, James Butka, was granted and decreed an absolute divorce, which shall not take effect and be in full force until the expiration of six months. [Code JE 14392, 2406, 6-16-06 decree].
m. (2) 25 Mar 1907, William "Bill" Charles Menefee. No issue. Divorced Bef Apr 1930 Census (See his record).
Married just after 1-15-1907 when her divorce from James Butka became final.
Lucy played hymns tolerably while William preached. It seems that Lucy had a very keen mind or maybe a photographic memory (see SDA obituary - memorized the Bible book of Revelations at age 75). Lucy said that these days were the happiest days in her life. (Per Granddaughter R. J. Butka).
Samuel Coombs provides: Lucy was a free spirit and was forced into marriage at age 14. She left the family when her daughter Letha was three years old. May have taken Letha with her, but Daisy got her back and then raised all the children herself.
Lucy married William Menefee. He was an alcoholic. She divorced him and married another much younger man, but later divorced him. Lucy was very mean to Lorayne and the grandchildren. She and James both died of colon cancer.
R. Jean Butka provides: I don't believe she divorced William "Bill" C. Menefee because he was described as the love of her life and it was his surname she used late in life. She believes he died in an accident when still quite young. Jean and Aileen always called her "Nana."
1910 U. S. Federal Census (April 20): Dist. 267, Alva Ward 1, Woods County, Oklahoma
Dwelling 84, Family 84
William C. Menefee, Head, Male, White, Age 28, Marriage 1, Birthplace Missouri, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Indiana, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Cook - Hotel, W, At Work Yesterday No, Unemployment 0, Can Read & Write Yes.
Lottie B. C. Menefee, Wife, Female, White, Age 27, Marriage 1, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Cook - Hotel, W, At Work Yesterday No, Unemployment 0, Can Read & Write Yes.
Charles A. Field, Father [should be father-in-law], Male, White, Age 69, Widowed, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Unknown, Mother's Birthplace Unknown, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Own Income - None, Can Read & Write Yes.
6-5-1917: Mentioned on husband's WWI Draft Registration Card:
"Nearest Relative: Lucy Menefee, Wife - Galena, Woods, Okla."
1920 U. S. Federal Census (January 1-2, 1920): South Galena, Woods County, Oklahoma
Special Note: -- Enumerator is Lucy C. Menefee!
Roll: T625_1480, Page: 1A, ED: 211, Image: 0980
William C. Menefee, Head, Male, White, Age 38, Married, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Missouri, Father's Place of Birth Iowa, Mother's Place of Birth Iowa, Whether Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Farmer - General Farm, Working on Own Account O.A., Number of Farm Schedule 3, 000.
Lucy C. Menefee, Wife, Female, White, Age 46, Married, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Iowa, Father's Place of Birth Pennsylvania, Mother's Place of Birth New York, Whether Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation None.
24 Oct 1921: Affidavit on Daughter Daisy Maude [Swartout]'s U.S. Passport Application:
"IDENTIFICATION.
October 24, 1921
I, Lucy Charlotte Menefee, solemnly swear that I am a native citizen of the United States; that I reside at Galena, Oklahoma; that I have known the above-named Daisy Maude Swartout personally for 32 years and know her to be a native citizen of the United States; and that the facts stated in her affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
/s/ Lucy Charlotte Menefee
Farmer & Housewife
Galena, Oklahoma"
Lucy and Bill had several wonderful years together and he was the love of her life, but he predeceased her. William died in an automobile accident in the 1920s sometime leaving Lucy a widow.
Lucy returned to James Butka to apologize for what she did to him and leaving him and asking if she could come back (even though they never had a strong love relationship like she did with William), but it was too late.
Divorced in OK. (See Wm. Menefee 1930 Census).
1930: Moved to CA. (Death Certificate - resident of state 30 years).
1930: Living with a paternal first cousin, Flora Lurinda Fields (Wicker).
1930 U. S. Federal Census (April 11): Monterey Park, Los Angeles County, California;
Roll: 173; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 1423; Image: 695.0.
Street: N. New Avenue
House 307, Dwelling 357, Family 358
Flora L. Wicker, Head, Female, White, Age 57, Widowed, Age at first marriage 22 [m. abt 1895], Attended School No, Able to Read and Write Yes, Birthplace Iowa, Birthplace of Father Pennsylvania, Birthplace of Mother New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Rad Engineer, Radioton Co., 1X28c, Class of Worker - Wages, Employed Yes, Veteran No.
Lucy C. Menefee, Cousin, Female, White, Age 59, Marital Condition Widowed, Age at first marriage 16, Attended School No, Able to Read and Write Yes, Birthplace Iowa, Birthplace of Father Pennsylvania, Birthplace of Mother New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation None.
About 1930: When Dr. Hersel returned from South America, his mother, Lucy Menefee, was recovering from an auto accident. Her husband, Bill Menefee had divorced her a few years before, and she wanted to move in and keep house and cook for us. This was her way of trying to make it up to Hersel for deserting him at 9 years of age. A still youngish, fun loving woman, she didn't want to be called Grandma, so hereafter she became "Nana" to all of us. These were wonderful years for Aileen and Jean--they dearly loved this "Grandma", the only one they'd known.
Then, for a while Lucy lived in the basement of the Butka Medical Building, Pomona, Los Angeles County, California. This is where she was living when Mabel died.
After her daughter Mabel died, she went to live with Hersel Butka and his daughters, Aileen (who was often away at school) and Jean, to help take care of them until Hersel married Hazel (his nurse). Aileen and Jean lovingly referred to Lucy as "Nana."
m. (3). After 1930, Mr. Lee. Lucy married a third time to a Lee (probably his surname), but it was short-term and this marriage didn't work out. They divorced. Lucy kept her second marriage's surname of Menefee afterward.
Check in CA?
1935: (See 1940 Census).
1936: Moved to Los Angeles County, California, where she lived the next 24 years until her death. (Death Cert.).
1938 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 42:
"Butka, Hersel E, 255 Monroe st......................physician, R
Butka, Mrs Mabel W, 255 Monroe av..............physician, R"
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 255 Monroe av................housewife, D"
1940 U. S. Federal Census (April):
Not with Hersel & Mabel in Pomona, San Jose, Los Angeles County, California
1942 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 54:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av................nurse, D"
1944 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 60:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av................nurse, D"
1946 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 65:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av, D"
-----------
Lucy was very religious, a good christian, and sometimes, during efforts (which are when outside ministers have a series of meetings to bring people into the church) she had memorized all of Revelations from the Bible and would recite a chapter at a time at the meetings. She had a good memory.
At the age of 70 Lucy continued to enjoy playing hymns on the piano.
She had blonde hair, blue eyes, was 5'1" tall, and weighed 180 lbs. at age 88.
Late in life she had a hard time walking and she couldn't get around very well.
She also had a glass eye. (Source: G. N. B.).
B. J. B. provides:
"My understanding is that when Nana left James Butka she took Letha with her, leaving the other children, including my father Hersel, who was about 10 or 12. The family story is that he then ran away from home to look for her, and wound up being picked up by the police and put in jail for a night or two until he could be returned to his father. I don't know how or when Letha returned to live with her family.
Nana married a horse-trainer named Menefee, and was estranged from the family until she was very old, and finally reconciled with Aunt Daisy (Swartout). When I knew her she was ancient and lived in a little cottage in Aunt Daisy and Uncle Hubert's garden, and the most remarkable fact about her as far as I was concerned--I was six--was that she could remove one eyeball and kept it in a little galss beside her bed. She died a year or so after that."
L. A. B. provides:
Grandfather James Butka was a hardworking, serious farmer all his life, which was approximately 88 years. When he was 25 years old he married a pretty, curly-haired, blue-eyed, fun-loving 16-year-old, Lucy Fields. Within a few years five children were born, the oldest and youngest were girls, with three boys between.
James, nearly ten years older than Lucy, was a rather stern man without much of a sense of humor. His very young wife struggled along, but after around 17 years of marriage, all work and no play, could bear it no longer. She left her husband and family, taking Letha, still a baby, with her. My father, Hersel, the next youngest, was only nine years old. The eldest, Daisy, was around 15 or 16, and she did her best to care for her three brothers, until James remarried.
Meanwhile, Lucy found her true love in Bill Menefee, and they married. Bill was an itinerant preacher, and Bill and Lucy traveled from place to place holding Evangelistic meetings. Bill preaching, and Lucy playing the piano. Between times they worked on farms until they'd saved enough to launch the next Evangelistic series. Theirs was what we today would call an Independent ministry, and Lucy always looked back on these years as the happiest time of her life.
L. A. B. also provides:
Lucy "Nana" Charlotte Fields (Menefee) enjoyed life, taught her and her sister Jean how to cook (cornbread was the first thing Aileen ever made), she never scolded them or spanked them. She was so enjoyable. She was with them most of the time after they returned from South America for about three years. She was at both Holt Avenue homes.
She had a piano, a sofa, and a bed in the little cottage at Aunt Daisy's home and she thought she was past four score by 7-8 by reason of strength and her time was up. She lived long enough.
12-20-1953: Lucy gave her granddaughter (from Hersel), R. J. B., a wedding card with a gift - pin on watch, and wrote: "Dearest Jean and Kenny, Love Nana, (inside), My most-treasured treasure. To my most treasured girl. Nana."
[As of 8-10-2006 R. J. B. (K.) still has this card and gift as originally received. Jean never wore it, but her paternal grandmother Lucy did.]
11-27-1958 article in The Mountain Democrat, Placerville, California:
FAMILY REUNION
Dr. and Mrs. Hersel E. Butka and children, Brenda and Gary, attended a family reunion hold at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Hubert O. Swartout of Arroyo Grande over the weekend of Nov. 15 and 16. Mrs. Swartout is a sister of Dr. Butka. Dr. Swartout is county health officer of San Luis Obispo county and a former health officer of Los Angeles county. Dr. Butka's mother [Lucy C. Fields Menefee], who is 87 years old, makes her home with the Swartouts. Others present were Dr. Leslie Butka of Pomona, and Elder and Mrs. V. M. Hansen of Arlington, Mrs. Hansen is also a sister of the Drs. Butka; Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Butka and son, Kenneth, of Arcadia, also attended, Kenneth will be leaving this week to begin service with the armed forces. Before returning to Camino, the Butkas also called on Dr. and Mrs. Jack Elvin of Grover City.
d. 10 Jan 1960, in La Verne, Los Angeles County, California, Lucy Charlotte Fields (Butka) (Menefee) died at age 88.
California Death Index 1940-1997:
MENEFEE, LUCY C.
Social Security #:
Sex: FEMALE
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1871
Birthplace: IOWA
Death Date: 10 Jan 1960
Death Place: LOS ANGELES
DEATH CERTIFICATE:
Name: Lucy Charlotte Menefee.
Date of Death: January 10, 1960.
Hour: 5:00 P.M.
Sex: Female.
Color or Race: White.
Birthplace: Iowa.
Date of Birth: February 22, 1871.
Age: 88.
Name and Birthplace of Father: Charles Fields, Iowa.
Name and Birthplace of Mother: Unknown, Unknown.
Citizen of What Country: U.S.A.
Social Security Number: None.
Last Occupation: Housewife.
Number of Years in this Occupation: 70.
Kind of Industry or Business: Own Home.
In the Armed Forces: No.
Status: Widowed.
Place of Death: La Verne Sanitarium, 2278 Seventh Street, La Verne, Los Angeles County.
Length of Stay in County of Death: 24 years.
Length of Stay in California: 30 years.
Last Usual Residence: 359 Baseline Road, La Verne, Los Angeles County, California.
Name of Informant: Daisy B. Swartout. [Daughter]
Address of Informant: 155 Fairview Drive, Arroyo Grande, California.
Physician: I hereby certify that death occurred at the hour, date, and place stated above from the causes stated below and that I attended deceased from 12/23 to 1-10 and that I last saw the deceased alive on 1-10. Signed L. H. Butka MD. [Leslie Harrison Butka - Son] Address: 195 E. Monterey, Pomona, Cal. Signed 1-11-60.
Burial. Date: 1-13-60. Grand View Cemetery, Glendale, California. Embalmer Ernest T. Crooke, License No. 1920, Funeral Director: Todd Memorial Chapel, Date Accepted for Registration Jan. 12, 1960.
Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage - 2 Weeks. Due to Arteriosclerosis - 5 Years.
Operation: No. Autopsy: No. Injury Information 2 3 (circled) 1.
Service at 12:30 p.m. at Todd Chapel, Pomona, Los Angeles County, California.
Interment Record: No. 18981. Lucy Charlotte Menefee, (2-22-1871), Age 88 years, Nat. Iowa, Date 1-13-1960, Undertaker Todd Memorial Chapel, Informant, Mrs. Daisy B. Swartout, 155 Fairview Drive, Arroyo Grande, California. C-G9299.
Pacific Union Recorder 1960, Mar. 7, 1960:
"MENEFEE--Lucy Menefee was born in Iowa Feb. 22, 1871; and died Jan. 10, 1960, in La Verne, Calif. She had been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 50 years; she was a member of the Dorcas Society and contributed regularly to the Voice of Prophecy for many years. At the age of 75 she won a prize for memorizing and reciting verbatim the book of Revelation. She is survived by 3 sons, Doctors Leslie, Lawrence, and Hershall [sic - Hersel]; 2 daughters, Mrs. Daisy B. Swarthout [sic - Swartout] and Mrs. Letha B. Hansen; 10 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild."
m. (1) 22 Feb 1888, in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, James Butka.
James Butka married Lucille C. Fields who was eight years his junior with the marriage taking place on her 18th birthday (we believe even though the marriage certificate and application of the same day says she is age 17) at the Pavillion Hotel.
[Note: The Pavillion Hotel in Taylor was named to the Historic Register of Places in December, 1989.]
Married with the consent of her father, he being present.
James Butka, Groom, Age 25, White, Place of Birth Iowa, Residence Loup Co., Father's Name Francis Butka, Mother's Maiden Name Barbary Cobat.
Lucy E. Fields, Bride, Age 17, White, Place of Birth Iowa, Residence Loup Co., Father's Name Charles Fields, Mother's Maiden Name Pheabe Myers.
Loup County Records (Judge's Office) Book 1:
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska: This certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888, at the Carter Arlet in said County, according to the law and by authority, I duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE Mr. James Butka and Mrs. Lucy E. Fields. And these were present as witnesses H. E. Carter & E. Charles Fields. Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888. Aruleurnsery, A Judge.
NOTE: We have a copy of the marriage license of Lucy & James Butka.
We also have a copy of the AFFIDAVIT ON APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE & MARRIAGE LICENSE (Loup County Marriage Record Book 1).
They had five children: Daisy Maude, Leslie Harrison, Lawrence James, Hersel Eugene, and Letha Luella.
6-15-1906: Journal Entry ("Divorce Judgment") In the District Court within and for Garfield County, Territory of Oklahoma: James Butka, Plaintiff, vs. Lucy C. Butka, Defendant: Summary: Both had attorneys present, James Butka was present, but Lucy was not present in court and failed to introduce evidence. The court found the Plaintiff [Father] to be the proper person to be awarded the care and custody of the minor children, to wit; Daisy age 17, Leslie age 16, Laurence (sic) age 14, Hersel age 11 and Letha age 5. The court also made into an order the parties' written agreement and contract regarding property rights that Defendant received $550.00 in lieu of any interest in any real or personal property. The Plaintiff, James Butka, was granted and decreed an absolute divorce, which shall not take effect and be in full force until the expiration of six months. [Code JE 14392, 2406, 6-16-06 decree].
L. Aileen Butka provides:
Grandfather James Butka was a hardworking, serious farmer all his life, which was approximately 88 years. When he was 25 years old he married a pretty, curly-haired, blue-eyed, fun-loving 16-year-old, Lucy Fields. Within a few years five children were born, the oldest and youngest were girls, with three boys between.
James, nearly ten years older than Lucy, was a rather stern man without much of a sense of humor. His very young wife struggled along, but after around 17 years of marriage, all work and no play, could bear it no longer. She left her husband and family, taking Letha, still a baby, with her. My father, Hersel, the next youngest, was only nine years old. The eldest, Daisy, was around 15 or 16, and she did her best to care for her three brothers, until James remarried.
m. (2) 25 Mar 1907, William "Bill" Charles Menefee. No issue. Divorced Bef Apr 1930 Census (See his record).
Married just after 1-15-1907 when her divorce from James Butka became final.
Lucy played hymns tolerably while William preached. It seems that Lucy had a very keen mind or maybe a photographic memory (see SDA obituary - memorized the Bible book of Revelations at age 75).
L. Aileen Butka provides:
Meanwhile, Lucy found her true love in Bill Menefee, and they married. Bill was an itinerant preacher, and Bill and Lucy traveled from place to place holding Evangelistic meetings. Bill preaching, and Lucy playing the piano. Between times they worked on farms until they'd saved enough to launch the next Evangelistic series. Theirs was what we today would call an Independent ministry, and Lucy always looked back on these years as the happiest time of her life.
He was a horse trainer. (Brenda Butka).
He died in an automobile accident. (Family Source).
m. (3). After 1930, Mr. Lee. Lucy married a third time to a Lee (probably his surname), but it was short-term and this marriage didn't work out. They divorced. Lucy kept her second marriage's surname of Menefee afterward. No issue.
-------------
1880 U. S. Federal Census (June 21 & 22): Beaver, Decatur County, Kansas:
Family History Library Film 1254379 NA Film Number T9-0379 Page Number 305C
Roll: T9_379; Family History Film: 1254379; Page: 305C; Enumeration District: 59; Image: 0173.
Dwelling 219, Family 219: (Misindexed under Phields instead of Fields)
Charles Phields, White, Male, Age 35, (Head), Married, Occupation Farmer, # mos. unemployed X, Cannot Write Yes, Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Phebe Phields, White, Female, Age 30, Wife, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace Massachusetts, Mother's Birthplace Massachusetts.
Lucy Phields, White, Female, Age 9, Daughter, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Thomas Phields, White, Male, Age 4, Son, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Carrie Phields, White, Female, Age 2, Daughter, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Dwelling 220, family 220: [Brother & Family]
Zac Fields, White, Male, Age 31, Married, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed X, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Sarah Fields, White, Female, Age 27, Wife, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace Illinois.
Horace Fields, White, Male, Age 6, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Arthur Fields, White, Male, Age 4, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Minnie Fields, White, Female, Age 2, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Dwelling 230, Family 230: [Brother - on next census page from Charles & Zachary]
Thomas Fields, White, Male, Age 41, Married, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed X, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Lida Fields, White, Female, Age 30, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Cyrus Fields, White, Male, Age 13, Single, Occupation At Home, Cannot Read Yes, Cannot Write Yes,
Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Lena Fields, White, Female, Age 11, Daughter, Single, Occupation At Home, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
1885 Nebraska State Census (June 3): Elkhorn Precinct, Dodge County, Nebraska.
Enumerator: E. G. Brugh, Enumeration District: 222, Page: 2, Locality: Midway Borough
C. H. Fields, Age 42, White, Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Pheby L. Fields, Age 33, White, Birthplace New York.
Lucy C. Fields, Age 14, White, Birthplace Iowa.
T. B. Fields (should be T[homas]. B.), Age 19, White, Birthplace Iowa.
M. C[arrie] Fields, Age 6, White, Birthplace Iowa.
L[urinda] A. Fields, Age 2, White, Birthplace Iowa.
Also listed is his brother and his family: Elkhorn Precinct, Dodge County, Nebraska
Date: 03 Jun 1885
Enumerator: E. G. Brugh, Enumeration District: 222, Page: 3, Locality: Midway Borough
S. [should be Thomas] J. Fields, Age 49, White, Birthplace New York.
Lida Fields, Age 40, White, Birthplace Wisconsin.
Cyrus Fields, Age 17, Birthplace Iowa.
Edgar L. Fields, Age 4, Birthplace Kansas.
Alalola M. Fields, Age 5/12, Birthplace Nebraska.
Book: Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too (1990) by Kevin Brown:
"DISTRICT #18 OVITT:
District 18 was commonly known as Ovitt. It was organized August 26, 1886, and was originally called Butka because at that time the Butka family was living in the area. The Butka Post Office originally opened in Loup County in 1886 with Frank Butka the postmaster. In 1894 this office moved to Rock County where it remained in operation until about 1935. Frank Butka was the petitioner for the new school district which would become #18. On September 10, 1886, Frank Butka was elected director, Peter Peterson the moderator, and Charles E. Whiting the treasurer of this school. County superintendent records show these three were reelected in July 1887; and in 1888, James Butka and a Carlisle were named to the board of education."
1889 Board: Frank Butka, Director, Butka, Nebraska.
1890: Frank Butka.
1891: Frank Butka / James Butka (appointed).
1893: Jane H. Butka, Director, Butka. [Note: This is Henrietta Jane Butka, nee Fisher, Mrs. Francis B. Butka.]
Notes by author: Butkas may've moved to Boyd County, NE about 1894. Dist. #18 during Kinkaid Era was known as Fox School. Fox family had most children in school at that time.
"The first teacher listed for District 18 was Lucy Fields. She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate."
Lucy C. Fields was teaching in District #18 Butka about the time she was married to James Butka.
She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate.
Lucy C. Fields also taught a term in District #17 Loup County.
1889: Teacher: Lucy Fields, salary $16 per month; 3rd grade teaching certificate; 3 month term.
Members of the board of School District #17: Robert Hesselgesser, Director, Nunda, NE; J.E. Hartford, Moderator; John Hesselgesser, Treasurer. Twenty-two school aged pupils were listed in the district as eligible for state aid apportionment for District #17.
The information came from the County Superintendent's (first) book in the Loup County Court House and was recorded in the book Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too: A History of Nine Loup County Schools (1990) by Kevin Brown (Marcelline, MO: Walworth Publications, 1990), page 23.
C.H. Fields (Lucy's father) was the Loup County Treasurer in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, from approximately 1889 to 1892.
Evidence for Mr. Fields serving as Loup County Treasurer from approximately 1889 to 1892 come from Loup County records and were recorded in the book, Loup County Centennial Book, 1883-1983, by the Centennial Commitee, Burwell, NE: Tribune Publishing, 1984, page 197, by Virginia Perkins Doty, under the Chapter XIV: Elected Officials of Loup County, 1883-1982. She cites as her sources Books 1-4 in the Clerk's Office of the Loup County Court House.
C.H. Fields' wife is listed as Phebe Myers Fields and they were listed as married in 1869 in Iowa.
I show their children and birth dates listed as S.B., 1866; M.C., 1879; and L.A., 1883.
We show Lucy's name as Lucy Charlotte Fields.
Pheobe was the first teacher in Loup County, Nebraska working three months for $20.
Phoebe Lucille Myers (Fields) was also listed in the Business Directory for 1890-1891 in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska: "Mrs. C. H. Fields Millinery."
James and Francis B. Butka were listed in the Farmers list for 1890-1891.
On January 1, 1887, James Butka, whom she would marry in February 1888, commenced his own homestead settlement for prairie grazing and farming, building his first house in the Spring neighboring his brother Frank's homestead, in Orvitt District 18, in northwest Loup County, Nebraska, on the Calamus River.
Also about 1887, and shortly before she was married, Lucy was a young school teacher at age 16, by today's standards. In fact, "[t]he first teacher listed for District 18 was Lucy Fields. She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate." "Lucy C. Fields also taught a term in District #17 Loup County."
(Book: Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too (1990) by Kevin Brown).
m. (1) 22 Feb 1888, in the Pavillion Hotel, Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, James Butka.
On February 22, 1888, in front of a judge, James Butka married Lucy E./Lucille C./Lucy Charlotte Fields, in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, on her 17th birthday at the Pavillion/Carter Hotel (built one year earlier in anticipation of the railroad which never came and yet this hotel is still in existence today [2016] and was designated a historic building in 1989). She was about eight years his junior and was married with the consent of her father who was present. (See Marriage Certificate & See 1893 Land Homestead & See Wikipedia re hotel).
"AFFIDAVIT ON APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE
I, James Butka of Loup County, State of Nebraska, aged 25
years, do solemnly swear that I am acquainted with Mr. James Butka
and Miss Lucy E. Fields, who are parties for the marriage of whom a LICENSE
is applied for; that said James Butka is of the age of 25 years and upwards,
of sound contracting mind, and unmarried,
that said Lucy E. Fields is of the age of 17 years and upwards, of sound
contracting mind, and unmarried, & has the consent of her father he being present
and may lawfully contract and be joined in marriage.
I furthermore do solemnly swear that the following schedule, containing the names of the aforesaid parties, their age, color, place of birth, residence and parents'
names, is correct in every particular, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, to wit:
NAMES OF THE PARTIES
James Butka Groom.
Lucy E Fields Bride.
AGE
25
17
COLOR
White
"
PLACE OF BIRTH
Iowa
Iowa
RESIDENCE
Loup Co
" "
FATHER'S NAME
Francis Butka
Charles Fields
MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME
Barbary Cobate
Pheabe Myers
James Butka, Applicant.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, 22nd Feb. 1882
AMGurnsey
A Judge"
"MARRIAGE LICENSE.
The State of Nebraska, }
Loup County. } ss.
Office of the County Judge
License is hereby granted to any person authorized to solemnize marriages according to the laws
of said State, to join in marriage Mr James Butka
and Miss Lucy E. Fields of the County aforesaid, whose ages, resi-
dence, etc., are as follows:
NAMES OF THE PARTIES.
James Butka Groom.
Lucy E Fields Bride.
If blood relation, in what degree? [blank]
AGE.
25
17
COLOR.
White
"
PLACE OF BIRTH.
Iowa
Iowa
RESIDENCE.
Loup Co
" "
FATHER'S NAME.
Francis Butka
Charles Fields
MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME.
Barbary Cobate
Pheabe Myers
And the person joining them in marriage is required to make due return of the annexed certificate to the County Judge of said County, within
ninety days, of the names of the parties, time and place of marriage, and by whom solemnized.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said court at me
office in Taylor in said County, the 22nd day
of February A.D. 1888
/s/ AM Gurnsey C._____ Judge.
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE.
To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska:
This Certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb A.D. 1888, at
the Carter Hotel in said County, according to law and by authority, i duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE
Mr James Butka and Miss Lucy E Fields
And these were present as witnesses H E Carter & Charles Fields
Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb A. D. 1888
/s/ AMGurnsey
A Judge"
Loup County Records (Judge's Office) Book 1:
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska: This certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888, at the Carter Hotel in said County, according to the law and by authority, I duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE Mr. James Butka and Mrs. Lucy E. Fields. And these were present as witnesses H. E. Carter & E. Charles Fields. Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888. AMGurnsey, A Judge.
[Note: The Pavillion Hotel on Main St. Square in Taylor, Nebraska is a historic building that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
It was built by Herman Carter in 1887 in anticipation of arrival of the railroad, which was just 13 miles east in Burwell, Nebraska. However, the railroad never came.
The site has also been designated NEHBS #LP03-1." -Wikipedia.]
[NOTE: We have a photo of the Pavillion Hotel, then and now (2005). "By the way, the correct spelling for the hotel DOES indeed include a double "ell", why I'm not sure, but that is the correct spelling. The hotel in Taylor was built in 1887 by a couple originally from Vermont, and they named the building after the famous "Pavilion" in Montpelier, VT, where the Vermont State Historical Society is located. We have enjoyed correspondence with employees from the Pavilion in Vermont, and they loved receiving a ceramic replica of our Pavillion! Marah Sandoz of Taylor, who owns the old hotel with her husband Loren, makes the replicas." -Kevin Brown, Taylor, Nebraska 68879, President, Loup County Historical Society.
The wedding took place in the Pavillion Hotel in Taylor (picture at right--due north of Kearny on hwy 183).
They both appear in the Wedding Index for Loup County Vol 1, p 65.
They had five children: Daisy Maude, Leslie Harrison, Lawrence James, Hersel Eugene, and Letha Luella.
James and Francis B. Butka were listed in the Farmers list for 1890-1891. (The Farmers List is on-line for 1890-1891on our Loup County website and that's where that information came from.)
C. H. Fields was elected Treasurer of Loup County, Nebraska and Frank Butka was a member of the first Board of Education.
NOTE: We have land records of the Butkas, post office records, and more from Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska.
NOTE: "A friend of mine, Margaret Hughes Dunne, who is past 90, told me her mother Anna Schubert Johnson Hughes boarded with the Butkas and herded cattle in exchange for the privilege of attending school at District #18 Loup County.
At that time the school was known as "Butka School", and the Butkas were prominent school board members. Later, the school became known as "Fox" and still later as "Ovitt".
My mother taught 3 terms at the Ovitt School from 1938 to 1941. It was her favorite school of all those she taught in.
You can't imagine how isolated this country is where the Butkas homesteaded--and yet how beautiful!"
-Kevin Brown, Taylor, Nebraska 68879, President, Loup County Historical Society (6-1-2005).
Post offices in Loup County between 1870 and 1990 include Butka (Internet Historic Info. on Loup Co., NE).
In 1894, the Butka Post Office was moved from northern Loup County to a home in Rock County quite a few miles away where it operated until it was closed in 1933. So the "Butka Post Office" operated from 1886 to 1933 all together.
Phoebe Lucille Myers (Fields) was also listed in the Business Directory for 1890-1891 in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska: "Mrs. C. H. Fields Millinery."
Lucy Fields was teaching in District #18 Butka about the time she was married to James Butka.
She also taught a term in District #17 Loup County.
C.H. Fields (her Father) was the Loup County Treasurer in Taylor (Nebraska) from approximately 1889 to 1892.
Lucy Fields was apparently born in 1871 and married in 1888.
C.H. Fields' wife is listed as Phebe Myers Fields and they were listed as married in 1869.
I show their children and birth dates listed as S.B., 1866; M.C., 1879; and L.A., 1883.
We show Lucy's name as Lucy Charlotte Fields.
1900 U. S. Federal Census: Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma;
Roll: T623 1336; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 53.
Dwelling 175, Family 175
James Butka, Head, White, Male, Born Mar. 1863, Age 37, Married, # Years Married 12, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Bohemia, Mother's Birthplace Bohemia, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed 0, Read/Write/Speak English Yes,
0wn Home, Free of Mortgage, Farm, # of farm 173.
Lucy C. Butka, Wife, White, Female, born Feb. 1871, Age 29, Married, # Years Married 12, # of Children 4, # of Children Still Living 4, Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace Canada, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Daisy M. Butka, White, Female, born Dec. 1888, Age 11, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Leslie Butka, Son, White, Male, born May 1890, Age 10, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Lawrence Butka, Son, White, Male, born Nov. 1891, Age 8, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Hersel Butka, Son, White, Male, born Dec. 1894, Age 5, Single, Birthplace Oklahoma, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
1904-1906: Lucy left her first husband James Butka to marry a younger man, William "Bill" C. Menefee (a traveling preacher) and left all her children living with James Butka, except for Letha for a while.
Her daughter Letha Luella Butka told her daughter Juanita Aileen Hansen that she remembers when she was about four years old that her mother put her in a carriage and left. Of course, her father came after her and took her back.
Aileen Butka remembers her dad was 9 years old when his mother left and that Daisy did most of the "mothering".
Brenda Jo Butka remembers that her dad was 10-12 years old at the time his parents separated.
6-15-1906: Journal Entry ("Divorce Judgment") In the District Court within and for Garfield County, Territory of Oklahoma: James Butka, Plaintiff, vs. Lucy C. Butka, Defendant: Summary: Both had attorneys present, James Butka was present, but Lucy was not present in court and failed to introduce evidence. The court found the Plaintiff [Father] to be the proper person to be awarded the care and custody of the minor children, to wit; Daisy age 17, Leslie age 16, Laurence (sic) age 14, Hersel age 11 and Letha age 5. The court also made into an order the parties' written agreement and contract regarding property rights that Defendant received $550.00 in lieu of any interest in any real or personal property. The Plaintiff, James Butka, was granted and decreed an absolute divorce, which shall not take effect and be in full force until the expiration of six months. [Code JE 14392, 2406, 6-16-06 decree].
m. (2) 25 Mar 1907, William "Bill" Charles Menefee. No issue. Divorced Bef Apr 1930 Census (See his record).
Married just after 1-15-1907 when her divorce from James Butka became final.
Lucy played hymns tolerably while William preached. It seems that Lucy had a very keen mind or maybe a photographic memory (see SDA obituary - memorized the Bible book of Revelations at age 75). Lucy said that these days were the happiest days in her life. (Per Granddaughter R. J. Butka).
Samuel Coombs provides: Lucy was a free spirit and was forced into marriage at age 14. She left the family when her daughter Letha was three years old. May have taken Letha with her, but Daisy got her back and then raised all the children herself.
Lucy married William Menefee. He was an alcoholic. She divorced him and married another much younger man, but later divorced him. Lucy was very mean to Lorayne and the grandchildren. She and James both died of colon cancer.
R. Jean Butka provides: I don't believe she divorced William "Bill" C. Menefee because he was described as the love of her life and it was his surname she used late in life. She believes he died in an accident when still quite young. Jean and Aileen always called her "Nana."
1910 U. S. Federal Census (April 20): Dist. 267, Alva Ward 1, Woods County, Oklahoma
Dwelling 84, Family 84
William C. Menefee, Head, Male, White, Age 28, Marriage 1, Birthplace Missouri, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Indiana, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Cook - Hotel, W, At Work Yesterday No, Unemployment 0, Can Read & Write Yes.
Lottie B. C. Menefee, Wife, Female, White, Age 27, Marriage 1, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Cook - Hotel, W, At Work Yesterday No, Unemployment 0, Can Read & Write Yes.
Charles A. Field, Father [should be father-in-law], Male, White, Age 69, Widowed, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Unknown, Mother's Birthplace Unknown, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Own Income - None, Can Read & Write Yes.
6-5-1917: Mentioned on husband's WWI Draft Registration Card:
"Nearest Relative: Lucy Menefee, Wife - Galena, Woods, Okla."
1920 U. S. Federal Census (January 1-2, 1920): South Galena, Woods County, Oklahoma
Special Note: -- Enumerator is Lucy C. Menefee!
Roll: T625_1480, Page: 1A, ED: 211, Image: 0980
William C. Menefee, Head, Male, White, Age 38, Married, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Missouri, Father's Place of Birth Iowa, Mother's Place of Birth Iowa, Whether Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Farmer - General Farm, Working on Own Account O.A., Number of Farm Schedule 3, 000.
Lucy C. Menefee, Wife, Female, White, Age 46, Married, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Iowa, Father's Place of Birth Pennsylvania, Mother's Place of Birth New York, Whether Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation None.
24 Oct 1921: Affidavit on Daughter Daisy Maude [Swartout]'s U.S. Passport Application:
"IDENTIFICATION.
October 24, 1921
I, Lucy Charlotte Menefee, solemnly swear that I am a native citizen of the United States; that I reside at Galena, Oklahoma; that I have known the above-named Daisy Maude Swartout personally for 32 years and know her to be a native citizen of the United States; and that the facts stated in her affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
/s/ Lucy Charlotte Menefee
Farmer & Housewife
Galena, Oklahoma"
Lucy and Bill had several wonderful years together and he was the love of her life, but he predeceased her. William died in an automobile accident in the 1920s sometime leaving Lucy a widow.
Lucy returned to James Butka to apologize for what she did to him and leaving him and asking if she could come back (even though they never had a strong love relationship like she did with William), but it was too late.
Divorced in OK. (See Wm. Menefee 1930 Census).
1930: Moved to CA. (Death Certificate - resident of state 30 years).
1930: Living with a paternal first cousin, Flora Lurinda Fields (Wicker).
1930 U. S. Federal Census (April 11): Monterey Park, Los Angeles County, California;
Roll: 173; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 1423; Image: 695.0.
Street: N. New Avenue
House 307, Dwelling 357, Family 358
Flora L. Wicker, Head, Female, White, Age 57, Widowed, Age at first marriage 22 [m. abt 1895], Attended School No, Able to Read and Write Yes, Birthplace Iowa, Birthplace of Father Pennsylvania, Birthplace of Mother New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Rad Engineer, Radioton Co., 1X28c, Class of Worker - Wages, Employed Yes, Veteran No.
Lucy C. Menefee, Cousin, Female, White, Age 59, Marital Condition Widowed, Age at first marriage 16, Attended School No, Able to Read and Write Yes, Birthplace Iowa, Birthplace of Father Pennsylvania, Birthplace of Mother New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation None.
About 1930: When Dr. Hersel returned from South America, his mother, Lucy Menefee, was recovering from an auto accident. Her husband, Bill Menefee had divorced her a few years before, and she wanted to move in and keep house and cook for us. This was her way of trying to make it up to Hersel for deserting him at 9 years of age. A still youngish, fun loving woman, she didn't want to be called Grandma, so hereafter she became "Nana" to all of us. These were wonderful years for Aileen and Jean--they dearly loved this "Grandma", the only one they'd known.
Then, for a while Lucy lived in the basement of the Butka Medical Building, Pomona, Los Angeles County, California. This is where she was living when Mabel died.
After her daughter Mabel died, she went to live with Hersel Butka and his daughters, Aileen (who was often away at school) and Jean, to help take care of them until Hersel married Hazel (his nurse). Aileen and Jean lovingly referred to Lucy as "Nana."
m. (3). After 1930, Mr. Lee. Lucy married a third time to a Lee (probably his surname), but it was short-term and this marriage didn't work out. They divorced. Lucy kept her second marriage's surname of Menefee afterward.
Check in CA?
1935: (See 1940 Census).
1936: Moved to Los Angeles County, California, where she lived the next 24 years until her death. (Death Cert.).
1938 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 42:
"Butka, Hersel E, 255 Monroe st......................physician, R
Butka, Mrs Mabel W, 255 Monroe av..............physician, R"
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 255 Monroe av................housewife, D"
1940 U. S. Federal Census (April):
Not with Hersel & Mabel in Pomona, San Jose, Los Angeles County, California
1942 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 54:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av................nurse, D"
1944 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 60:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av................nurse, D"
1946 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 65:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av, D"
-----------
Lucy was very religious, a good christian, and sometimes, during efforts (which are when outside ministers have a series of meetings to bring people into the church) she had memorized all of Revelations from the Bible and would recite a chapter at a time at the meetings. She had a good memory.
At the age of 70 Lucy continued to enjoy playing hymns on the piano.
She had blonde hair, blue eyes, was 5'1" tall, and weighed 180 lbs. at age 88.
Late in life she had a hard time walking and she couldn't get around very well.
She also had a glass eye. (Source: G. N. B.).
B. J. B. provides:
"My understanding is that when Nana left James Butka she took Letha with her, leaving the other children, including my father Hersel, who was about 10 or 12. The family story is that he then ran away from home to look for her, and wound up being picked up by the police and put in jail for a night or two until he could be returned to his father. I don't know how or when Letha returned to live with her family.
Nana married a horse-trainer named Menefee, and was estranged from the family until she was very old, and finally reconciled with Aunt Daisy (Swartout). When I knew her she was ancient and lived in a little cottage in Aunt Daisy and Uncle Hubert's garden, and the most remarkable fact about her as far as I was concerned--I was six--was that she could remove one eyeball and kept it in a little galss beside her bed. She died a year or so after that."
L. A. B. provides:
Grandfather James Butka was a hardworking, serious farmer all his life, which was approximately 88 years. When he was 25 years old he married a pretty, curly-haired, blue-eyed, fun-loving 16-year-old, Lucy Fields. Within a few years five children were born, the oldest and youngest were girls, with three boys between.
James, nearly ten years older than Lucy, was a rather stern man without much of a sense of humor. His very young wife struggled along, but after around 17 years of marriage, all work and no play, could bear it no longer. She left her husband and family, taking Letha, still a baby, with her. My father, Hersel, the next youngest, was only nine years old. The eldest, Daisy, was around 15 or 16, and she did her best to care for her three brothers, until James remarried.
Meanwhile, Lucy found her true love in Bill Menefee, and they married. Bill was an itinerant preacher, and Bill and Lucy traveled from place to place holding Evangelistic meetings. Bill preaching, and Lucy playing the piano. Between times they worked on farms until they'd saved enough to launch the next Evangelistic series. Theirs was what we today would call an Independent ministry, and Lucy always looked back on these years as the happiest time of her life.
L. A. B. also provides:
Lucy "Nana" Charlotte Fields (Menefee) enjoyed life, taught her and her sister Jean how to cook (cornbread was the first thing Aileen ever made), she never scolded them or spanked them. She was so enjoyable. She was with them most of the time after they returned from South America for about three years. She was at both Holt Avenue homes.
She had a piano, a sofa, and a bed in the little cottage at Aunt Daisy's home and she thought she was past four score by 7-8 by reason of strength and her time was up. She lived long enough.
12-20-1953: Lucy gave her granddaughter (from Hersel), R. J. B., a wedding card with a gift - pin on watch, and wrote: "Dearest Jean and Kenny, Love Nana, (inside), My most-treasured treasure. To my most treasured girl. Nana."
[As of 8-10-2006 R. J. B. (K.) still has this card and gift as originally received. Jean never wore it, but her paternal grandmother Lucy did.]
11-27-1958 article in The Mountain Democrat, Placerville, California:
FAMILY REUNION
Dr. and Mrs. Hersel E. Butka and children, Brenda and Gary, attended a family reunion hold at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Hubert O. Swartout of Arroyo Grande over the weekend of Nov. 15 and 16. Mrs. Swartout is a sister of Dr. Butka. Dr. Swartout is county health officer of San Luis Obispo county and a former health officer of Los Angeles county. Dr. Butka's mother [Lucy C. Fields Menefee], who is 87 years old, makes her home with the Swartouts. Others present were Dr. Leslie Butka of Pomona, and Elder and Mrs. V. M. Hansen of Arlington, Mrs. Hansen is also a sister of the Drs. Butka; Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Butka and son, Kenneth, of Arcadia, also attended, Kenneth will be leaving this week to begin service with the armed forces. Before returning to Camino, the Butkas also called on Dr. and Mrs. Jack Elvin of Grover City.
d. 10 Jan 1960, in La Verne, Los Angeles County, California, Lucy Charlotte Fields (Butka) (Menefee) died at age 88.
California Death Index 1940-1997:
MENEFEE, LUCY C.
Social Security #:
Sex: FEMALE
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1871
Birthplace: IOWA
Death Date: 10 Jan 1960
Death Place: LOS ANGELES
DEATH CERTIFICATE:
Name: Lucy Charlotte Menefee.
Date of Death: January 10, 1960.
Hour: 5:00 P.M.
Sex: Female.
Color or Race: White.
Birthplace: Iowa.
Date of Birth: February 22, 1871.
Age: 88.
Name and Birthplace of Father: Charles Fields, Iowa.
Name and Birthplace of Mother: Unknown, Unknown.
Citizen of What Country: U.S.A.
Social Security Number: None.
Last Occupation: Housewife.
Number of Years in this Occupation: 70.
Kind of Industry or Business: Own Home.
In the Armed Forces: No.
Status: Widowed.
Place of Death: La Verne Sanitarium, 2278 Seventh Street, La Verne, Los Angeles County.
Length of Stay in County of Death: 24 years.
Length of Stay in California: 30 years.
Last Usual Residence: 359 Baseline Road, La Verne, Los Angeles County, California.
Name of Informant: Daisy B. Swartout. [Daughter]
Address of Informant: 155 Fairview Drive, Arroyo Grande, California.
Physician: I hereby certify that death occurred at the hour, date, and place stated above from the causes stated below and that I attended deceased from 12/23 to 1-10 and that I last saw the deceased alive on 1-10. Signed L. H. Butka MD. [Leslie Harrison Butka - Son] Address: 195 E. Monterey, Pomona, Cal. Signed 1-11-60.
Burial. Date: 1-13-60. Grand View Cemetery, Glendale, California. Embalmer Ernest T. Crooke, License No. 1920, Funeral Director: Todd Memorial Chapel, Date Accepted for Registration Jan. 12, 1960.
Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage - 2 Weeks. Due to Arteriosclerosis - 5 Years.
Operation: No. Autopsy: No. Injury Information 2 3 (circled) 1.
Service at 12:30 p.m. at Todd Chapel, Pomona, Los Angeles County, California.
Interment Record: No. 18981. Lucy Charlotte Menefee, (2-22-1871), Age 88 years, Nat. Iowa, Date 1-13-1960, Undertaker Todd Memorial Chapel, Informant, Mrs. Daisy B. Swartout, 155 Fairview Drive, Arroyo Grande, California. C-G9299.
SDA Obituary:
Pacific Union Recorder 1960, Mar. 7, 1960:
"MENEFEE--Lucy Menefee was born in Iowa Feb. 22, 1871; and died Jan. 10, 1960, in La Verne, Calif. She had been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 50 years; she was a member of the Dorcas Society and contributed regularly to the Voice of Prophecy for many years. At the age of 75 she won a prize for memorizing and reciting verbatim the book of Revelation. She is survived by 3 sons, Doctors Leslie, Lawrence, and Hershall [sic - Hersel]; 2 daughters, Mrs. Daisy B. Swarthout [sic - Swartout] and Mrs. Letha B. Hansen; 10 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild."
m. (1) 22 Feb 1888, in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, James Butka.
James Butka married Lucille C. Fields who was eight years his junior with the marriage taking place on her 18th birthday (we believe even though the marriage certificate and application of the same day says she is age 17) at the Pavillion Hotel.
[Note: The Pavillion Hotel in Taylor was named to the Historic Register of Places in December, 1989.]
Married with the consent of her father, he being present.
James Butka, Groom, Age 25, White, Place of Birth Iowa, Residence Loup Co., Father's Name Francis Butka, Mother's Maiden Name Barbary Cobat.
Lucy E. Fields, Bride, Age 17, White, Place of Birth Iowa, Residence Loup Co., Father's Name Charles Fields, Mother's Maiden Name Pheabe Myers.
Loup County Records (Judge's Office) Book 1:
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska: This certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888, at the Carter Arlet in said County, according to the law and by authority, I duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE Mr. James Butka and Mrs. Lucy E. Fields. And these were present as witnesses H. E. Carter & E. Charles Fields. Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888. Aruleurnsery, A Judge.
NOTE: We have a copy of the marriage license of Lucy & James Butka.
We also have a copy of the AFFIDAVIT ON APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE & MARRIAGE LICENSE (Loup County Marriage Record Book 1).
They had five children: Daisy Maude, Leslie Harrison, Lawrence James, Hersel Eugene, and Letha Luella.
6-15-1906: Journal Entry ("Divorce Judgment") In the District Court within and for Garfield County, Territory of Oklahoma: James Butka, Plaintiff, vs. Lucy C. Butka, Defendant: Summary: Both had attorneys present, James Butka was present, but Lucy was not present in court and failed to introduce evidence. The court found the Plaintiff [Father] to be the proper person to be awarded the care and custody of the minor children, to wit; Daisy age 17, Leslie age 16, Laurence (sic) age 14, Hersel age 11 and Letha age 5. The court also made into an order the parties' written agreement and contract regarding property rights that Defendant received $550.00 in lieu of any interest in any real or personal property. The Plaintiff, James Butka, was granted and decreed an absolute divorce, which shall not take effect and be in full force until the expiration of six months. [Code JE 14392, 2406, 6-16-06 decree].
L. Aileen Butka provides:
Grandfather James Butka was a hardworking, serious farmer all his life, which was approximately 88 years. When he was 25 years old he married a pretty, curly-haired, blue-eyed, fun-loving 16-year-old, Lucy Fields. Within a few years five children were born, the oldest and youngest were girls, with three boys between.
James, nearly ten years older than Lucy, was a rather stern man without much of a sense of humor. His very young wife struggled along, but after around 17 years of marriage, all work and no play, could bear it no longer. She left her husband and family, taking Letha, still a baby, with her. My father, Hersel, the next youngest, was only nine years old. The eldest, Daisy, was around 15 or 16, and she did her best to care for her three brothers, until James remarried.
m. (2) 25 Mar 1907, William "Bill" Charles Menefee. No issue. Divorced Bef Apr 1930 Census (See his record).
Married just after 1-15-1907 when her divorce from James Butka became final.
Lucy played hymns tolerably while William preached. It seems that Lucy had a very keen mind or maybe a photographic memory (see SDA obituary - memorized the Bible book of Revelations at age 75).
L. Aileen Butka provides:
Meanwhile, Lucy found her true love in Bill Menefee, and they married. Bill was an itinerant preacher, and Bill and Lucy traveled from place to place holding Evangelistic meetings. Bill preaching, and Lucy playing the piano. Between times they worked on farms until they'd saved enough to launch the next Evangelistic series. Theirs was what we today would call an Independent ministry, and Lucy always looked back on these years as the happiest time of her life.
He was a horse trainer. (Brenda Butka).
He died in an automobile accident. (Family Source).
m. (3). After 1930, Mr. Lee. Lucy married a third time to a Lee (probably his surname), but it was short-term and this marriage didn't work out. They divorced. Lucy kept her second marriage's surname of Menefee afterward. No issue.
-------------
1880 U. S. Federal Census (June 21 & 22): Beaver, Decatur County, Kansas:
Family History Library Film 1254379 NA Film Number T9-0379 Page Number 305C
Roll: T9_379; Family History Film: 1254379; Page: 305C; Enumeration District: 59; Image: 0173.
Dwelling 219, Family 219: (Misindexed under Phields instead of Fields)
Charles Phields, White, Male, Age 35, (Head), Married, Occupation Farmer, # mos. unemployed X, Cannot Write Yes, Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Phebe Phields, White, Female, Age 30, Wife, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace Massachusetts, Mother's Birthplace Massachusetts.
Lucy Phields, White, Female, Age 9, Daughter, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Thomas Phields, White, Male, Age 4, Son, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Carrie Phields, White, Female, Age 2, Daughter, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Dwelling 220, family 220: [Brother & Family]
Zac Fields, White, Male, Age 31, Married, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed X, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Sarah Fields, White, Female, Age 27, Wife, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace Illinois.
Horace Fields, White, Male, Age 6, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Arthur Fields, White, Male, Age 4, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Minnie Fields, White, Female, Age 2, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Dwelling 230, Family 230: [Brother - on next census page from Charles & Zachary]
Thomas Fields, White, Male, Age 41, Married, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed X, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Lida Fields, White, Female, Age 30, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Cyrus Fields, White, Male, Age 13, Single, Occupation At Home, Cannot Read Yes, Cannot Write Yes,
Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Lena Fields, White, Female, Age 11, Daughter, Single, Occupation At Home, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
1885 Nebraska State Census (June 3): Elkhorn Precinct, Dodge County, Nebraska.
Enumerator: E. G. Brugh, Enumeration District: 222, Page: 2, Locality: Midway Borough
C. H. Fields, Age 42, White, Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Pheby L. Fields, Age 33, White, Birthplace New York.
Lucy C. Fields, Age 14, White, Birthplace Iowa.
T. B. Fields (should be T[homas]. B.), Age 19, White, Birthplace Iowa.
M. C[arrie] Fields, Age 6, White, Birthplace Iowa.
L[urinda] A. Fields, Age 2, White, Birthplace Iowa.
Also listed is his brother and his family: Elkhorn Precinct, Dodge County, Nebraska
Date: 03 Jun 1885
Enumerator: E. G. Brugh, Enumeration District: 222, Page: 3, Locality: Midway Borough
S. [should be Thomas] J. Fields, Age 49, White, Birthplace New York.
Lida Fields, Age 40, White, Birthplace Wisconsin.
Cyrus Fields, Age 17, Birthplace Iowa.
Edgar L. Fields, Age 4, Birthplace Kansas.
Alalola M. Fields, Age 5/12, Birthplace Nebraska.
Book: Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too (1990) by Kevin Brown:
"DISTRICT #18 OVITT:
District 18 was commonly known as Ovitt. It was organized August 26, 1886, and was originally called Butka because at that time the Butka family was living in the area. The Butka Post Office originally opened in Loup County in 1886 with Frank Butka the postmaster. In 1894 this office moved to Rock County where it remained in operation until about 1935. Frank Butka was the petitioner for the new school district which would become #18. On September 10, 1886, Frank Butka was elected director, Peter Peterson the moderator, and Charles E. Whiting the treasurer of this school. County superintendent records show these three were reelected in July 1887; and in 1888, James Butka and a Carlisle were named to the board of education."
1889 Board: Frank Butka, Director, Butka, Nebraska.
1890: Frank Butka.
1891: Frank Butka / James Butka (appointed).
1893: Jane H. Butka, Director, Butka. [Note: This is Henrietta Jane Butka, nee Fisher, Mrs. Francis B. Butka.]
Notes by author: Butkas may've moved to Boyd County, NE about 1894. Dist. #18 during Kinkaid Era was known as Fox School. Fox family had most children in school at that time.
"The first teacher listed for District 18 was Lucy Fields. She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate."
Lucy C. Fields was teaching in District #18 Butka about the time she was married to James Butka.
She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate.
Lucy C. Fields also taught a term in District #17 Loup County.
1889: Teacher: Lucy Fields, salary $16 per month; 3rd grade teaching certificate; 3 month term.
Members of the board of School District #17: Robert Hesselgesser, Director, Nunda, NE; J.E. Hartford, Moderator; John Hesselgesser, Treasurer. Twenty-two school aged pupils were listed in the district as eligible for state aid apportionment for District #17.
The information came from the County Superintendent's (first) book in the Loup County Court House and was recorded in the book Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too: A History of Nine Loup County Schools (1990) by Kevin Brown (Marcelline, MO: Walworth Publications, 1990), page 23.
C.H. Fields (Lucy's father) was the Loup County Treasurer in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, from approximately 1889 to 1892.
Evidence for Mr. Fields serving as Loup County Treasurer from approximately 1889 to 1892 come from Loup County records and were recorded in the book, Loup County Centennial Book, 1883-1983, by the Centennial Commitee, Burwell, NE: Tribune Publishing, 1984, page 197, by Virginia Perkins Doty, under the Chapter XIV: Elected Officials of Loup County, 1883-1982. She cites as her sources Books 1-4 in the Clerk's Office of the Loup County Court House.
C.H. Fields' wife is listed as Phebe Myers Fields and they were listed as married in 1869 in Iowa.
I show their children and birth dates listed as S.B., 1866; M.C., 1879; and L.A., 1883.
We show Lucy's name as Lucy Charlotte Fields.
Pheobe was the first teacher in Loup County, Nebraska working three months for $20.
Phoebe Lucille Myers (Fields) was also listed in the Business Directory for 1890-1891 in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska: "Mrs. C. H. Fields Millinery."
James and Francis B. Butka were listed in the Farmers list for 1890-1891.
On January 1, 1887, James Butka, whom she would marry in February 1888, commenced his own homestead settlement for prairie grazing and farming, building his first house in the Spring neighboring his brother Frank's homestead, in Orvitt District 18, in northwest Loup County, Nebraska, on the Calamus River.
Also about 1887, and shortly before she was married, Lucy was a young school teacher at age 16, by today's standards. In fact, "[t]he first teacher listed for District 18 was Lucy Fields. She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate." "Lucy C. Fields also taught a term in District #17 Loup County."
(Book: Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too (1990) by Kevin Brown).
m. (1) 22 Feb 1888, in the Pavillion Hotel, Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, James Butka.
On February 22, 1888, in front of a judge, James Butka married Lucy E./Lucille C./Lucy Charlotte Fields, in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, on her 17th birthday at the Pavillion/Carter Hotel (built one year earlier in anticipation of the railroad which never came and yet this hotel is still in existence today [2016] and was designated a historic building in 1989). She was about eight years his junior and was married with the consent of her father who was present. (See Marriage Certificate & See 1893 Land Homestead & See Wikipedia re hotel).
"AFFIDAVIT ON APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE
I, James Butka of Loup County, State of Nebraska, aged 25
years, do solemnly swear that I am acquainted with Mr. James Butka
and Miss Lucy E. Fields, who are parties for the marriage of whom a LICENSE
is applied for; that said James Butka is of the age of 25 years and upwards,
of sound contracting mind, and unmarried,
that said Lucy E. Fields is of the age of 17 years and upwards, of sound
contracting mind, and unmarried, & has the consent of her father he being present
and may lawfully contract and be joined in marriage.
I furthermore do solemnly swear that the following schedule, containing the names of the aforesaid parties, their age, color, place of birth, residence and parents'
names, is correct in every particular, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, to wit:
NAMES OF THE PARTIES
James Butka Groom.
Lucy E Fields Bride.
AGE
25
17
COLOR
White
"
PLACE OF BIRTH
Iowa
Iowa
RESIDENCE
Loup Co
" "
FATHER'S NAME
Francis Butka
Charles Fields
MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME
Barbary Cobate
Pheabe Myers
James Butka, Applicant.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, 22nd Feb. 1882
AMGurnsey
A Judge"
"MARRIAGE LICENSE.
The State of Nebraska, }
Loup County. } ss.
Office of the County Judge
License is hereby granted to any person authorized to solemnize marriages according to the laws
of said State, to join in marriage Mr James Butka
and Miss Lucy E. Fields of the County aforesaid, whose ages, resi-
dence, etc., are as follows:
NAMES OF THE PARTIES.
James Butka Groom.
Lucy E Fields Bride.
If blood relation, in what degree? [blank]
AGE.
25
17
COLOR.
White
"
PLACE OF BIRTH.
Iowa
Iowa
RESIDENCE.
Loup Co
" "
FATHER'S NAME.
Francis Butka
Charles Fields
MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME.
Barbary Cobate
Pheabe Myers
And the person joining them in marriage is required to make due return of the annexed certificate to the County Judge of said County, within
ninety days, of the names of the parties, time and place of marriage, and by whom solemnized.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said court at me
office in Taylor in said County, the 22nd day
of February A.D. 1888
/s/ AM Gurnsey C._____ Judge.
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE.
To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska:
This Certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb A.D. 1888, at
the Carter Hotel in said County, according to law and by authority, i duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE
Mr James Butka and Miss Lucy E Fields
And these were present as witnesses H E Carter & Charles Fields
Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb A. D. 1888
/s/ AMGurnsey
A Judge"
Loup County Records (Judge's Office) Book 1:
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska: This certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888, at the Carter Hotel in said County, according to the law and by authority, I duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE Mr. James Butka and Mrs. Lucy E. Fields. And these were present as witnesses H. E. Carter & E. Charles Fields. Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888. AMGurnsey, A Judge.
[Note: The Pavillion Hotel on Main St. Square in Taylor, Nebraska is a historic building that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
It was built by Herman Carter in 1887 in anticipation of arrival of the railroad, which was just 13 miles east in Burwell, Nebraska. However, the railroad never came.
The site has also been designated NEHBS #LP03-1." -Wikipedia.]
[NOTE: We have a photo of the Pavillion Hotel, then and now (2005). "By the way, the correct spelling for the hotel DOES indeed include a double "ell", why I'm not sure, but that is the correct spelling. The hotel in Taylor was built in 1887 by a couple originally from Vermont, and they named the building after the famous "Pavilion" in Montpelier, VT, where the Vermont State Historical Society is located. We have enjoyed correspondence with employees from the Pavilion in Vermont, and they loved receiving a ceramic replica of our Pavillion! Marah Sandoz of Taylor, who owns the old hotel with her husband Loren, makes the replicas." -Kevin Brown, Taylor, Nebraska 68879, President, Loup County Historical Society.
The wedding took place in the Pavillion Hotel in Taylor (picture at right--due north of Kearny on hwy 183).
They both appear in the Wedding Index for Loup County Vol 1, p 65.
They had five children: Daisy Maude, Leslie Harrison, Lawrence James, Hersel Eugene, and Letha Luella.
James and Francis B. Butka were listed in the Farmers list for 1890-1891. (The Farmers List is on-line for 1890-1891on our Loup County website and that's where that information came from.)
C. H. Fields was elected Treasurer of Loup County, Nebraska and Frank Butka was a member of the first Board of Education.
NOTE: We have land records of the Butkas, post office records, and more from Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska.
NOTE: "A friend of mine, Margaret Hughes Dunne, who is past 90, told me her mother Anna Schubert Johnson Hughes boarded with the Butkas and herded cattle in exchange for the privilege of attending school at District #18 Loup County.
At that time the school was known as "Butka School", and the Butkas were prominent school board members. Later, the school became known as "Fox" and still later as "Ovitt".
My mother taught 3 terms at the Ovitt School from 1938 to 1941. It was her favorite school of all those she taught in.
You can't imagine how isolated this country is where the Butkas homesteaded--and yet how beautiful!"
-Kevin Brown, Taylor, Nebraska 68879, President, Loup County Historical Society (6-1-2005).
Post offices in Loup County between 1870 and 1990 include Butka (Internet Historic Info. on Loup Co., NE).
In 1894, the Butka Post Office was moved from northern Loup County to a home in Rock County quite a few miles away where it operated until it was closed in 1933. So the "Butka Post Office" operated from 1886 to 1933 all together.
Phoebe Lucille Myers (Fields) was also listed in the Business Directory for 1890-1891 in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska: "Mrs. C. H. Fields Millinery."
Lucy Fields was teaching in District #18 Butka about the time she was married to James Butka.
She also taught a term in District #17 Loup County.
C.H. Fields (her Father) was the Loup County Treasurer in Taylor (Nebraska) from approximately 1889 to 1892.
Lucy Fields was apparently born in 1871 and married in 1888.
C.H. Fields' wife is listed as Phebe Myers Fields and they were listed as married in 1869.
I show their children and birth dates listed as S.B., 1866; M.C., 1879; and L.A., 1883.
We show Lucy's name as Lucy Charlotte Fields.
1900 U. S. Federal Census: Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma;
Roll: T623 1336; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 53.
Dwelling 175, Family 175
James Butka, Head, White, Male, Born Mar. 1863, Age 37, Married, # Years Married 12, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Bohemia, Mother's Birthplace Bohemia, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed 0, Read/Write/Speak English Yes,
0wn Home, Free of Mortgage, Farm, # of farm 173.
Lucy C. Butka, Wife, White, Female, born Feb. 1871, Age 29, Married, # Years Married 12, # of Children 4, # of Children Still Living 4, Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace Canada, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Daisy M. Butka, White, Female, born Dec. 1888, Age 11, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Leslie Butka, Son, White, Male, born May 1890, Age 10, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Lawrence Butka, Son, White, Male, born Nov. 1891, Age 8, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Hersel Butka, Son, White, Male, born Dec. 1894, Age 5, Single, Birthplace Oklahoma, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
1904-1906: Lucy left her first husband James Butka to marry a younger man, William "Bill" C. Menefee (a traveling preacher) and left all her children living with James Butka, except for Letha for a while.
Her daughter Letha Luella Butka told her daughter Juanita Aileen Hansen that she remembers when she was about four years old that her mother put her in a carriage and left. Of course, her father came after her and took her back.
Aileen Butka remembers her dad was 9 years old when his mother left and that Daisy did most of the "mothering".
Brenda Jo Butka remembers that her dad was 10-12 years old at the time his parents separated.
6-15-1906: Journal Entry ("Divorce Judgment") In the District Court within and for Garfield County, Territory of Oklahoma: James Butka, Plaintiff, vs. Lucy C. Butka, Defendant: Summary: Both had attorneys present, James Butka was present, but Lucy was not present in court and failed to introduce evidence. The court found the Plaintiff [Father] to be the proper person to be awarded the care and custody of the minor children, to wit; Daisy age 17, Leslie age 16, Laurence (sic) age 14, Hersel age 11 and Letha age 5. The court also made into an order the parties' written agreement and contract regarding property rights that Defendant received $550.00 in lieu of any interest in any real or personal property. The Plaintiff, James Butka, was granted and decreed an absolute divorce, which shall not take effect and be in full force until the expiration of six months. [Code JE 14392, 2406, 6-16-06 decree].
m. (2) 25 Mar 1907, William "Bill" Charles Menefee. No issue. Divorced Bef Apr 1930 Census (See his record).
Married just after 1-15-1907 when her divorce from James Butka became final.
Lucy played hymns tolerably while William preached. It seems that Lucy had a very keen mind or maybe a photographic memory (see SDA obituary - memorized the Bible book of Revelations at age 75). Lucy said that these days were the happiest days in her life. (Per Granddaughter R. J. Butka).
Samuel Coombs provides: Lucy was a free spirit and was forced into marriage at age 14. She left the family when her daughter Letha was three years old. May have taken Letha with her, but Daisy got her back and then raised all the children herself.
Lucy married William Menefee. He was an alcoholic. She divorced him and married another much younger man, but later divorced him. Lucy was very mean to Lorayne and the grandchildren. She and James both died of colon cancer.
R. Jean Butka provides: I don't believe she divorced William "Bill" C. Menefee because he was described as the love of her life and it was his surname she used late in life. She believes he died in an accident when still quite young. Jean and Aileen always called her "Nana."
1910 U. S. Federal Census (April 20): Dist. 267, Alva Ward 1, Woods County, Oklahoma
Dwelling 84, Family 84
William C. Menefee, Head, Male, White, Age 28, Marriage 1, Birthplace Missouri, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Indiana, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Cook - Hotel, W, At Work Yesterday No, Unemployment 0, Can Read & Write Yes.
Lottie B. C. Menefee, Wife, Female, White, Age 27, Marriage 1, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Cook - Hotel, W, At Work Yesterday No, Unemployment 0, Can Read & Write Yes.
Charles A. Field, Father [should be father-in-law], Male, White, Age 69, Widowed, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Unknown, Mother's Birthplace Unknown, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Own Income - None, Can Read & Write Yes.
6-5-1917: Mentioned on husband's WWI Draft Registration Card:
"Nearest Relative: Lucy Menefee, Wife - Galena, Woods, Okla."
1920 U. S. Federal Census (January 1-2, 1920): South Galena, Woods County, Oklahoma
Special Note: -- Enumerator is Lucy C. Menefee!
Roll: T625_1480, Page: 1A, ED: 211, Image: 0980
William C. Menefee, Head, Male, White, Age 38, Married, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Missouri, Father's Place of Birth Iowa, Mother's Place of Birth Iowa, Whether Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Farmer - General Farm, Working on Own Account O.A., Number of Farm Schedule 3, 000.
Lucy C. Menefee, Wife, Female, White, Age 46, Married, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Iowa, Father's Place of Birth Pennsylvania, Mother's Place of Birth New York, Whether Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation None.
24 Oct 1921: Affidavit on Daughter Daisy Maude [Swartout]'s U.S. Passport Application:
"IDENTIFICATION.
October 24, 1921
I, Lucy Charlotte Menefee, solemnly swear that I am a native citizen of the United States; that I reside at Galena, Oklahoma; that I have known the above-named Daisy Maude Swartout personally for 32 years and know her to be a native citizen of the United States; and that the facts stated in her affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
/s/ Lucy Charlotte Menefee
Farmer & Housewife
Galena, Oklahoma"
Lucy and Bill had several wonderful years together and he was the love of her life, but he predeceased her. William died in an automobile accident in the 1920s sometime leaving Lucy a widow.
Lucy returned to James Butka to apologize for what she did to him and leaving him and asking if she could come back (even though they never had a strong love relationship like she did with William), but it was too late.
Divorced in OK. (See Wm. Menefee 1930 Census).
1930: Moved to CA. (Death Certificate - resident of state 30 years).
1930: Living with a paternal first cousin, Flora Lurinda Fields (Wicker).
1930 U. S. Federal Census (April 11): Monterey Park, Los Angeles County, California;
Roll: 173; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 1423; Image: 695.0.
Street: N. New Avenue
House 307, Dwelling 357, Family 358
Flora L. Wicker, Head, Female, White, Age 57, Widowed, Age at first marriage 22 [m. abt 1895], Attended School No, Able to Read and Write Yes, Birthplace Iowa, Birthplace of Father Pennsylvania, Birthplace of Mother New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Rad Engineer, Radioton Co., 1X28c, Class of Worker - Wages, Employed Yes, Veteran No.
Lucy C. Menefee, Cousin, Female, White, Age 59, Marital Condition Widowed, Age at first marriage 16, Attended School No, Able to Read and Write Yes, Birthplace Iowa, Birthplace of Father Pennsylvania, Birthplace of Mother New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation None.
About 1930: When Dr. Hersel returned from South America, his mother, Lucy Menefee, was recovering from an auto accident. Her husband, Bill Menefee had divorced her a few years before, and she wanted to move in and keep house and cook for us. This was her way of trying to make it up to Hersel for deserting him at 9 years of age. A still youngish, fun loving woman, she didn't want to be called Grandma, so hereafter she became "Nana" to all of us. These were wonderful years for Aileen and Jean--they dearly loved this "Grandma", the only one they'd known.
Then, for a while Lucy lived in the basement of the Butka Medical Building, Pomona, Los Angeles County, California. This is where she was living when Mabel died.
After her daughter Mabel died, she went to live with Hersel Butka and his daughters, Aileen (who was often away at school) and Jean, to help take care of them until Hersel married Hazel (his nurse). Aileen and Jean lovingly referred to Lucy as "Nana."
m. (3). After 1930, Mr. Lee. Lucy married a third time to a Lee (probably his surname), but it was short-term and this marriage didn't work out. They divorced. Lucy kept her second marriage's surname of Menefee afterward.
Check in CA?
1935: (See 1940 Census).
1936: Moved to Los Angeles County, California, where she lived the next 24 years until her death. (Death Cert.).
1938 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 42:
"Butka, Hersel E, 255 Monroe st......................physician, R
Butka, Mrs Mabel W, 255 Monroe av..............physician, R"
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 255 Monroe av................housewife, D"
1940 U. S. Federal Census (April):
Not with Hersel & Mabel in Pomona, San Jose, Los Angeles County, California
1942 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 54:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av................nurse, D"
1944 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 60:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av................nurse, D"
1946 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 65:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av, D"
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Lucy was very religious, a good christian, and sometimes, during efforts (which are when outside ministers have a series of meetings to bring people into the church) she had memorized all of Revelations from the Bible and would recite a chapter at a time at the meetings. She had a good memory.
At the age of 70 Lucy continued to enjoy playing hymns on the piano.
She had blonde hair, blue eyes, was 5'1" tall, and weighed 180 lbs. at age 88.
Late in life she had a hard time walking and she couldn't get around very well.
She also had a glass eye. (Source: G. N. B.).
B. J. B. provides:
"My understanding is that when Nana left James Butka she took Letha with her, leaving the other children, including my father Hersel, who was about 10 or 12. The family story is that he then ran away from home to look for her, and wound up being picked up by the police and put in jail for a night or two until he could be returned to his father. I don't know how or when Letha returned to live with her family.
Nana married a horse-trainer named Menefee, and was estranged from the family until she was very old, and finally reconciled with Aunt Daisy (Swartout). When I knew her she was ancient and lived in a little cottage in Aunt Daisy and Uncle Hubert's garden, and the most remarkable fact about her as far as I was concerned--I was six--was that she could remove one eyeball and kept it in a little galss beside her bed. She died a year or so after that."
L. A. B. provides:
Grandfather James Butka was a hardworking, serious farmer all his life, which was approximately 88 years. When he was 25 years old he married a pretty, curly-haired, blue-eyed, fun-loving 16-year-old, Lucy Fields. Within a few years five children were born, the oldest and youngest were girls, with three boys between.
James, nearly ten years older than Lucy, was a rather stern man without much of a sense of humor. His very young wife struggled along, but after around 17 years of marriage, all work and no play, could bear it no longer. She left her husband and family, taking Letha, still a baby, with her. My father, Hersel, the next youngest, was only nine years old. The eldest, Daisy, was around 15 or 16, and she did her best to care for her three brothers, until James remarried.
Meanwhile, Lucy found her true love in Bill Menefee, and they married. Bill was an itinerant preacher, and Bill and Lucy traveled from place to place holding Evangelistic meetings. Bill preaching, and Lucy playing the piano. Between times they worked on farms until they'd saved enough to launch the next Evangelistic series. Theirs was what we today would call an Independent ministry, and Lucy always looked back on these years as the happiest time of her life.
L. A. B. also provides:
Lucy "Nana" Charlotte Fields (Menefee) enjoyed life, taught her and her sister Jean how to cook (cornbread was the first thing Aileen ever made), she never scolded them or spanked them. She was so enjoyable. She was with them most of the time after they returned from South America for about three years. She was at both Holt Avenue homes.
She had a piano, a sofa, and a bed in the little cottage at Aunt Daisy's home and she thought she was past four score by 7-8 by reason of strength and her time was up. She lived long enough.
12-20-1953: Lucy gave her granddaughter (from Hersel), R. J. B., a wedding card with a gift - pin on watch, and wrote: "Dearest Jean and Kenny, Love Nana, (inside), My most-treasured treasure. To my most treasured girl. Nana."
[As of 8-10-2006 R. J. B. (K.) still has this card and gift as originally received. Jean never wore it, but her paternal grandmother Lucy did.]
11-27-1958 article in The Mountain Democrat, Placerville, California:
FAMILY REUNION
Dr. and Mrs. Hersel E. Butka and children, Brenda and Gary, attended a family reunion hold at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Hubert O. Swartout of Arroyo Grande over the weekend of Nov. 15 and 16. Mrs. Swartout is a sister of Dr. Butka. Dr. Swartout is county health officer of San Luis Obispo county and a former health officer of Los Angeles county. Dr. Butka's mother [Lucy C. Fields Menefee], who is 87 years old, makes her home with the Swartouts. Others present were Dr. Leslie Butka of Pomona, and Elder and Mrs. V. M. Hansen of Arlington, Mrs. Hansen is also a sister of the Drs. Butka; Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Butka and son, Kenneth, of Arcadia, also attended, Kenneth will be leaving this week to begin service with the armed forces. Before returning to Camino, the Butkas also called on Dr. and Mrs. Jack Elvin of Grover City.
d. 10 Jan 1960, in La Verne, Los Angeles County, California, Lucy Charlotte Fields (Butka) (Menefee) died at age 88.
California Death Index 1940-1997:
MENEFEE, LUCY C.
Social Security #:
Sex: FEMALE
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1871
Birthplace: IOWA
Death Date: 10 Jan 1960
Death Place: LOS ANGELES
DEATH CERTIFICATE:
Name: Lucy Charlotte Menefee.
Date of Death: January 10, 1960.
Hour: 5:00 P.M.
Sex: Female.
Color or Race: White.
Birthplace: Iowa.
Date of Birth: February 22, 1871.
Age: 88.
Name and Birthplace of Father: Charles Fields, Iowa.
Name and Birthplace of Mother: Unknown, Unknown.
Citizen of What Country: U.S.A.
Social Security Number: None.
Last Occupation: Housewife.
Number of Years in this Occupation: 70.
Kind of Industry or Business: Own Home.
In the Armed Forces: No.
Status: Widowed.
Place of Death: La Verne Sanitarium, 2278 Seventh Street, La Verne, Los Angeles County.
Length of Stay in County of Death: 24 years.
Length of Stay in California: 30 years.
Last Usual Residence: 359 Baseline Road, La Verne, Los Angeles County, California.
Name of Informant: Daisy B. Swartout. [Daughter]
Address of Informant: 155 Fairview Drive, Arroyo Grande, California.
Physician: I hereby certify that death occurred at the hour, date, and place stated above from the causes stated below and that I attended deceased from 12/23 to 1-10 and that I last saw the deceased alive on 1-10. Signed L. H. Butka MD. [Leslie Harrison Butka - Son] Address: 195 E. Monterey, Pomona, Cal. Signed 1-11-60.
Burial. Date: 1-13-60. Grand View Cemetery, Glendale, California. Embalmer Ernest T. Crooke, License No. 1920, Funeral Director: Todd Memorial Chapel, Date Accepted for Registration Jan. 12, 1960.
Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage - 2 Weeks. Due to Arteriosclerosis - 5 Years.
Operation: No. Autopsy: No. Injury Information 2 3 (circled) 1.
Service at 12:30 p.m. at Todd Chapel, Pomona, Los Angeles County, California.
Interment Record: No. 18981. Lucy Charlotte Menefee, (2-22-1871), Age 88 years, Nat. Iowa, Date 1-13-1960, Undertaker Todd Memorial Chapel, Informant, Mrs. Daisy B. Swartout, 155 Fairview Drive, Arroyo Grande, California. C-G9299.
Pacific Union Recorder 1960, Mar. 7, 1960:
"MENEFEE--Lucy Menefee was born in Iowa Feb. 22, 1871; and died Jan. 10, 1960, in La Verne, Calif. She had been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for more than 50 years; she was a member of the Dorcas Society and contributed regularly to the Voice of Prophecy for many years. At the age of 75 she won a prize for memorizing and reciting verbatim the book of Revelation. She is survived by 3 sons, Doctors Leslie, Lawrence, and Hershall [sic - Hersel]; 2 daughters, Mrs. Daisy B. Swarthout [sic - Swartout] and Mrs. Letha B. Hansen; 10 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild."
m. (1) 22 Feb 1888, in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, James Butka.
James Butka married Lucille C. Fields who was eight years his junior with the marriage taking place on her 18th birthday (we believe even though the marriage certificate and application of the same day says she is age 17) at the Pavillion Hotel.
[Note: The Pavillion Hotel in Taylor was named to the Historic Register of Places in December, 1989.]
Married with the consent of her father, he being present.
James Butka, Groom, Age 25, White, Place of Birth Iowa, Residence Loup Co., Father's Name Francis Butka, Mother's Maiden Name Barbary Cobat.
Lucy E. Fields, Bride, Age 17, White, Place of Birth Iowa, Residence Loup Co., Father's Name Charles Fields, Mother's Maiden Name Pheabe Myers.
Loup County Records (Judge's Office) Book 1:
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska: This certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888, at the Carter Arlet in said County, according to the law and by authority, I duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE Mr. James Butka and Mrs. Lucy E. Fields. And these were present as witnesses H. E. Carter & E. Charles Fields. Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888. Aruleurnsery, A Judge.
NOTE: We have a copy of the marriage license of Lucy & James Butka.
We also have a copy of the AFFIDAVIT ON APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE & MARRIAGE LICENSE (Loup County Marriage Record Book 1).
They had five children: Daisy Maude, Leslie Harrison, Lawrence James, Hersel Eugene, and Letha Luella.
6-15-1906: Journal Entry ("Divorce Judgment") In the District Court within and for Garfield County, Territory of Oklahoma: James Butka, Plaintiff, vs. Lucy C. Butka, Defendant: Summary: Both had attorneys present, James Butka was present, but Lucy was not present in court and failed to introduce evidence. The court found the Plaintiff [Father] to be the proper person to be awarded the care and custody of the minor children, to wit; Daisy age 17, Leslie age 16, Laurence (sic) age 14, Hersel age 11 and Letha age 5. The court also made into an order the parties' written agreement and contract regarding property rights that Defendant received $550.00 in lieu of any interest in any real or personal property. The Plaintiff, James Butka, was granted and decreed an absolute divorce, which shall not take effect and be in full force until the expiration of six months. [Code JE 14392, 2406, 6-16-06 decree].
L. Aileen Butka provides:
Grandfather James Butka was a hardworking, serious farmer all his life, which was approximately 88 years. When he was 25 years old he married a pretty, curly-haired, blue-eyed, fun-loving 16-year-old, Lucy Fields. Within a few years five children were born, the oldest and youngest were girls, with three boys between.
James, nearly ten years older than Lucy, was a rather stern man without much of a sense of humor. His very young wife struggled along, but after around 17 years of marriage, all work and no play, could bear it no longer. She left her husband and family, taking Letha, still a baby, with her. My father, Hersel, the next youngest, was only nine years old. The eldest, Daisy, was around 15 or 16, and she did her best to care for her three brothers, until James remarried.
m. (2) 25 Mar 1907, William "Bill" Charles Menefee. No issue. Divorced Bef Apr 1930 Census (See his record).
Married just after 1-15-1907 when her divorce from James Butka became final.
Lucy played hymns tolerably while William preached. It seems that Lucy had a very keen mind or maybe a photographic memory (see SDA obituary - memorized the Bible book of Revelations at age 75).
L. Aileen Butka provides:
Meanwhile, Lucy found her true love in Bill Menefee, and they married. Bill was an itinerant preacher, and Bill and Lucy traveled from place to place holding Evangelistic meetings. Bill preaching, and Lucy playing the piano. Between times they worked on farms until they'd saved enough to launch the next Evangelistic series. Theirs was what we today would call an Independent ministry, and Lucy always looked back on these years as the happiest time of her life.
He was a horse trainer. (Brenda Butka).
He died in an automobile accident. (Family Source).
m. (3). After 1930, Mr. Lee. Lucy married a third time to a Lee (probably his surname), but it was short-term and this marriage didn't work out. They divorced. Lucy kept her second marriage's surname of Menefee afterward. No issue.
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1880 U. S. Federal Census (June 21 & 22): Beaver, Decatur County, Kansas:
Family History Library Film 1254379 NA Film Number T9-0379 Page Number 305C
Roll: T9_379; Family History Film: 1254379; Page: 305C; Enumeration District: 59; Image: 0173.
Dwelling 219, Family 219: (Misindexed under Phields instead of Fields)
Charles Phields, White, Male, Age 35, (Head), Married, Occupation Farmer, # mos. unemployed X, Cannot Write Yes, Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Phebe Phields, White, Female, Age 30, Wife, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace Massachusetts, Mother's Birthplace Massachusetts.
Lucy Phields, White, Female, Age 9, Daughter, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Thomas Phields, White, Male, Age 4, Son, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Carrie Phields, White, Female, Age 2, Daughter, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Dwelling 220, family 220: [Brother & Family]
Zac Fields, White, Male, Age 31, Married, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed X, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace New York.
Sarah Fields, White, Female, Age 27, Wife, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace New York, Mother's Birthplace Illinois.
Horace Fields, White, Male, Age 6, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Arthur Fields, White, Male, Age 4, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Minnie Fields, White, Female, Age 2, Single, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
Dwelling 230, Family 230: [Brother - on next census page from Charles & Zachary]
Thomas Fields, White, Male, Age 41, Married, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed X, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Lida Fields, White, Female, Age 30, Married, Occupation Keeping House, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Cyrus Fields, White, Male, Age 13, Single, Occupation At Home, Cannot Read Yes, Cannot Write Yes,
Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Lena Fields, White, Female, Age 11, Daughter, Single, Occupation At Home, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace Pennsylvania.
1885 Nebraska State Census (June 3): Elkhorn Precinct, Dodge County, Nebraska.
Enumerator: E. G. Brugh, Enumeration District: 222, Page: 2, Locality: Midway Borough
C. H. Fields, Age 42, White, Birthplace Pennsylvania.
Pheby L. Fields, Age 33, White, Birthplace New York.
Lucy C. Fields, Age 14, White, Birthplace Iowa.
T. B. Fields (should be T[homas]. B.), Age 19, White, Birthplace Iowa.
M. C[arrie] Fields, Age 6, White, Birthplace Iowa.
L[urinda] A. Fields, Age 2, White, Birthplace Iowa.
Also listed is his brother and his family: Elkhorn Precinct, Dodge County, Nebraska
Date: 03 Jun 1885
Enumerator: E. G. Brugh, Enumeration District: 222, Page: 3, Locality: Midway Borough
S. [should be Thomas] J. Fields, Age 49, White, Birthplace New York.
Lida Fields, Age 40, White, Birthplace Wisconsin.
Cyrus Fields, Age 17, Birthplace Iowa.
Edgar L. Fields, Age 4, Birthplace Kansas.
Alalola M. Fields, Age 5/12, Birthplace Nebraska.
Book: Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too (1990) by Kevin Brown:
"DISTRICT #18 OVITT:
District 18 was commonly known as Ovitt. It was organized August 26, 1886, and was originally called Butka because at that time the Butka family was living in the area. The Butka Post Office originally opened in Loup County in 1886 with Frank Butka the postmaster. In 1894 this office moved to Rock County where it remained in operation until about 1935. Frank Butka was the petitioner for the new school district which would become #18. On September 10, 1886, Frank Butka was elected director, Peter Peterson the moderator, and Charles E. Whiting the treasurer of this school. County superintendent records show these three were reelected in July 1887; and in 1888, James Butka and a Carlisle were named to the board of education."
1889 Board: Frank Butka, Director, Butka, Nebraska.
1890: Frank Butka.
1891: Frank Butka / James Butka (appointed).
1893: Jane H. Butka, Director, Butka. [Note: This is Henrietta Jane Butka, nee Fisher, Mrs. Francis B. Butka.]
Notes by author: Butkas may've moved to Boyd County, NE about 1894. Dist. #18 during Kinkaid Era was known as Fox School. Fox family had most children in school at that time.
"The first teacher listed for District 18 was Lucy Fields. She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate."
Lucy C. Fields was teaching in District #18 Butka about the time she was married to James Butka.
She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate.
Lucy C. Fields also taught a term in District #17 Loup County.
1889: Teacher: Lucy Fields, salary $16 per month; 3rd grade teaching certificate; 3 month term.
Members of the board of School District #17: Robert Hesselgesser, Director, Nunda, NE; J.E. Hartford, Moderator; John Hesselgesser, Treasurer. Twenty-two school aged pupils were listed in the district as eligible for state aid apportionment for District #17.
The information came from the County Superintendent's (first) book in the Loup County Court House and was recorded in the book Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too: A History of Nine Loup County Schools (1990) by Kevin Brown (Marcelline, MO: Walworth Publications, 1990), page 23.
C.H. Fields (Lucy's father) was the Loup County Treasurer in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, from approximately 1889 to 1892.
Evidence for Mr. Fields serving as Loup County Treasurer from approximately 1889 to 1892 come from Loup County records and were recorded in the book, Loup County Centennial Book, 1883-1983, by the Centennial Commitee, Burwell, NE: Tribune Publishing, 1984, page 197, by Virginia Perkins Doty, under the Chapter XIV: Elected Officials of Loup County, 1883-1982. She cites as her sources Books 1-4 in the Clerk's Office of the Loup County Court House.
C.H. Fields' wife is listed as Phebe Myers Fields and they were listed as married in 1869 in Iowa.
I show their children and birth dates listed as S.B., 1866; M.C., 1879; and L.A., 1883.
We show Lucy's name as Lucy Charlotte Fields.
Pheobe was the first teacher in Loup County, Nebraska working three months for $20.
Phoebe Lucille Myers (Fields) was also listed in the Business Directory for 1890-1891 in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska: "Mrs. C. H. Fields Millinery."
James and Francis B. Butka were listed in the Farmers list for 1890-1891.
On January 1, 1887, James Butka, whom she would marry in February 1888, commenced his own homestead settlement for prairie grazing and farming, building his first house in the Spring neighboring his brother Frank's homestead, in Orvitt District 18, in northwest Loup County, Nebraska, on the Calamus River.
Also about 1887, and shortly before she was married, Lucy was a young school teacher at age 16, by today's standards. In fact, "[t]he first teacher listed for District 18 was Lucy Fields. She taught a 3-month term at $20 per month and listed a third grade teaching certificate." "Lucy C. Fields also taught a term in District #17 Loup County."
(Book: Valleyview, Nunda, and Boiling Spring Too (1990) by Kevin Brown).
m. (1) 22 Feb 1888, in the Pavillion Hotel, Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, James Butka.
On February 22, 1888, in front of a judge, James Butka married Lucy E./Lucille C./Lucy Charlotte Fields, in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska, on her 17th birthday at the Pavillion/Carter Hotel (built one year earlier in anticipation of the railroad which never came and yet this hotel is still in existence today [2016] and was designated a historic building in 1989). She was about eight years his junior and was married with the consent of her father who was present. (See Marriage Certificate & See 1893 Land Homestead & See Wikipedia re hotel).
"AFFIDAVIT ON APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE
I, James Butka of Loup County, State of Nebraska, aged 25
years, do solemnly swear that I am acquainted with Mr. James Butka
and Miss Lucy E. Fields, who are parties for the marriage of whom a LICENSE
is applied for; that said James Butka is of the age of 25 years and upwards,
of sound contracting mind, and unmarried,
that said Lucy E. Fields is of the age of 17 years and upwards, of sound
contracting mind, and unmarried, & has the consent of her father he being present
and may lawfully contract and be joined in marriage.
I furthermore do solemnly swear that the following schedule, containing the names of the aforesaid parties, their age, color, place of birth, residence and parents'
names, is correct in every particular, to the best of my knowledge, information and belief, to wit:
NAMES OF THE PARTIES
James Butka Groom.
Lucy E Fields Bride.
AGE
25
17
COLOR
White
"
PLACE OF BIRTH
Iowa
Iowa
RESIDENCE
Loup Co
" "
FATHER'S NAME
Francis Butka
Charles Fields
MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME
Barbary Cobate
Pheabe Myers
James Butka, Applicant.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, 22nd Feb. 1882
AMGurnsey
A Judge"
"MARRIAGE LICENSE.
The State of Nebraska, }
Loup County. } ss.
Office of the County Judge
License is hereby granted to any person authorized to solemnize marriages according to the laws
of said State, to join in marriage Mr James Butka
and Miss Lucy E. Fields of the County aforesaid, whose ages, resi-
dence, etc., are as follows:
NAMES OF THE PARTIES.
James Butka Groom.
Lucy E Fields Bride.
If blood relation, in what degree? [blank]
AGE.
25
17
COLOR.
White
"
PLACE OF BIRTH.
Iowa
Iowa
RESIDENCE.
Loup Co
" "
FATHER'S NAME.
Francis Butka
Charles Fields
MOTHER'S MAIDEN NAME.
Barbary Cobate
Pheabe Myers
And the person joining them in marriage is required to make due return of the annexed certificate to the County Judge of said County, within
ninety days, of the names of the parties, time and place of marriage, and by whom solemnized.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said court at me
office in Taylor in said County, the 22nd day
of February A.D. 1888
/s/ AM Gurnsey C._____ Judge.
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE.
To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska:
This Certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb A.D. 1888, at
the Carter Hotel in said County, according to law and by authority, i duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE
Mr James Butka and Miss Lucy E Fields
And these were present as witnesses H E Carter & Charles Fields
Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb A. D. 1888
/s/ AMGurnsey
A Judge"
Loup County Records (Judge's Office) Book 1:
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE. To the County Judge of Loup County, Nebraska: This certifies, That on the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888, at the Carter Hotel in said County, according to the law and by authority, I duly JOINED IN MARRIAGE Mr. James Butka and Mrs. Lucy E. Fields. And these were present as witnesses H. E. Carter & E. Charles Fields. Given under my hand the 22 day of Feb. A.D. 1888. AMGurnsey, A Judge.
[Note: The Pavillion Hotel on Main St. Square in Taylor, Nebraska is a historic building that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
It was built by Herman Carter in 1887 in anticipation of arrival of the railroad, which was just 13 miles east in Burwell, Nebraska. However, the railroad never came.
The site has also been designated NEHBS #LP03-1." -Wikipedia.]
[NOTE: We have a photo of the Pavillion Hotel, then and now (2005). "By the way, the correct spelling for the hotel DOES indeed include a double "ell", why I'm not sure, but that is the correct spelling. The hotel in Taylor was built in 1887 by a couple originally from Vermont, and they named the building after the famous "Pavilion" in Montpelier, VT, where the Vermont State Historical Society is located. We have enjoyed correspondence with employees from the Pavilion in Vermont, and they loved receiving a ceramic replica of our Pavillion! Marah Sandoz of Taylor, who owns the old hotel with her husband Loren, makes the replicas." -Kevin Brown, Taylor, Nebraska 68879, President, Loup County Historical Society.
The wedding took place in the Pavillion Hotel in Taylor (picture at right--due north of Kearny on hwy 183).
They both appear in the Wedding Index for Loup County Vol 1, p 65.
They had five children: Daisy Maude, Leslie Harrison, Lawrence James, Hersel Eugene, and Letha Luella.
James and Francis B. Butka were listed in the Farmers list for 1890-1891. (The Farmers List is on-line for 1890-1891on our Loup County website and that's where that information came from.)
C. H. Fields was elected Treasurer of Loup County, Nebraska and Frank Butka was a member of the first Board of Education.
NOTE: We have land records of the Butkas, post office records, and more from Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska.
NOTE: "A friend of mine, Margaret Hughes Dunne, who is past 90, told me her mother Anna Schubert Johnson Hughes boarded with the Butkas and herded cattle in exchange for the privilege of attending school at District #18 Loup County.
At that time the school was known as "Butka School", and the Butkas were prominent school board members. Later, the school became known as "Fox" and still later as "Ovitt".
My mother taught 3 terms at the Ovitt School from 1938 to 1941. It was her favorite school of all those she taught in.
You can't imagine how isolated this country is where the Butkas homesteaded--and yet how beautiful!"
-Kevin Brown, Taylor, Nebraska 68879, President, Loup County Historical Society (6-1-2005).
Post offices in Loup County between 1870 and 1990 include Butka (Internet Historic Info. on Loup Co., NE).
In 1894, the Butka Post Office was moved from northern Loup County to a home in Rock County quite a few miles away where it operated until it was closed in 1933. So the "Butka Post Office" operated from 1886 to 1933 all together.
Phoebe Lucille Myers (Fields) was also listed in the Business Directory for 1890-1891 in Taylor, Loup County, Nebraska: "Mrs. C. H. Fields Millinery."
Lucy Fields was teaching in District #18 Butka about the time she was married to James Butka.
She also taught a term in District #17 Loup County.
C.H. Fields (her Father) was the Loup County Treasurer in Taylor (Nebraska) from approximately 1889 to 1892.
Lucy Fields was apparently born in 1871 and married in 1888.
C.H. Fields' wife is listed as Phebe Myers Fields and they were listed as married in 1869.
I show their children and birth dates listed as S.B., 1866; M.C., 1879; and L.A., 1883.
We show Lucy's name as Lucy Charlotte Fields.
1900 U. S. Federal Census: Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma;
Roll: T623 1336; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 53.
Dwelling 175, Family 175
James Butka, Head, White, Male, Born Mar. 1863, Age 37, Married, # Years Married 12, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Bohemia, Mother's Birthplace Bohemia, Occupation Farmer, Months Not Employed 0, Read/Write/Speak English Yes,
0wn Home, Free of Mortgage, Farm, # of farm 173.
Lucy C. Butka, Wife, White, Female, born Feb. 1871, Age 29, Married, # Years Married 12, # of Children 4, # of Children Still Living 4, Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace New York, Father's Birthplace Canada, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Daisy M. Butka, White, Female, born Dec. 1888, Age 11, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Leslie Butka, Son, White, Male, born May 1890, Age 10, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Lawrence Butka, Son, White, Male, born Nov. 1891, Age 8, Single, Birthplace Nebraska, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa, Occupation At-school, Attended School (in months) 7, Can Read/Write/Speak English Yes.
Hersel Butka, Son, White, Male, born Dec. 1894, Age 5, Single, Birthplace Oklahoma, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Iowa.
1904-1906: Lucy left her first husband James Butka to marry a younger man, William "Bill" C. Menefee (a traveling preacher) and left all her children living with James Butka, except for Letha for a while.
Her daughter Letha Luella Butka told her daughter Juanita Aileen Hansen that she remembers when she was about four years old that her mother put her in a carriage and left. Of course, her father came after her and took her back.
Aileen Butka remembers her dad was 9 years old when his mother left and that Daisy did most of the "mothering".
Brenda Jo Butka remembers that her dad was 10-12 years old at the time his parents separated.
6-15-1906: Journal Entry ("Divorce Judgment") In the District Court within and for Garfield County, Territory of Oklahoma: James Butka, Plaintiff, vs. Lucy C. Butka, Defendant: Summary: Both had attorneys present, James Butka was present, but Lucy was not present in court and failed to introduce evidence. The court found the Plaintiff [Father] to be the proper person to be awarded the care and custody of the minor children, to wit; Daisy age 17, Leslie age 16, Laurence (sic) age 14, Hersel age 11 and Letha age 5. The court also made into an order the parties' written agreement and contract regarding property rights that Defendant received $550.00 in lieu of any interest in any real or personal property. The Plaintiff, James Butka, was granted and decreed an absolute divorce, which shall not take effect and be in full force until the expiration of six months. [Code JE 14392, 2406, 6-16-06 decree].
m. (2) 25 Mar 1907, William "Bill" Charles Menefee. No issue. Divorced Bef Apr 1930 Census (See his record).
Married just after 1-15-1907 when her divorce from James Butka became final.
Lucy played hymns tolerably while William preached. It seems that Lucy had a very keen mind or maybe a photographic memory (see SDA obituary - memorized the Bible book of Revelations at age 75). Lucy said that these days were the happiest days in her life. (Per Granddaughter R. J. Butka).
Samuel Coombs provides: Lucy was a free spirit and was forced into marriage at age 14. She left the family when her daughter Letha was three years old. May have taken Letha with her, but Daisy got her back and then raised all the children herself.
Lucy married William Menefee. He was an alcoholic. She divorced him and married another much younger man, but later divorced him. Lucy was very mean to Lorayne and the grandchildren. She and James both died of colon cancer.
R. Jean Butka provides: I don't believe she divorced William "Bill" C. Menefee because he was described as the love of her life and it was his surname she used late in life. She believes he died in an accident when still quite young. Jean and Aileen always called her "Nana."
1910 U. S. Federal Census (April 20): Dist. 267, Alva Ward 1, Woods County, Oklahoma
Dwelling 84, Family 84
William C. Menefee, Head, Male, White, Age 28, Marriage 1, Birthplace Missouri, Father's Birthplace Iowa, Mother's Birthplace Indiana, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Cook - Hotel, W, At Work Yesterday No, Unemployment 0, Can Read & Write Yes.
Lottie B. C. Menefee, Wife, Female, White, Age 27, Marriage 1, Birthplace Iowa, Father's Birthplace Pennsylvania, Mother's Birthplace New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Cook - Hotel, W, At Work Yesterday No, Unemployment 0, Can Read & Write Yes.
Charles A. Field, Father [should be father-in-law], Male, White, Age 69, Widowed, Birthplace Pennsylvania, Father's Birthplace Unknown, Mother's Birthplace Unknown, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Own Income - None, Can Read & Write Yes.
6-5-1917: Mentioned on husband's WWI Draft Registration Card:
"Nearest Relative: Lucy Menefee, Wife - Galena, Woods, Okla."
1920 U. S. Federal Census (January 1-2, 1920): South Galena, Woods County, Oklahoma
Special Note: -- Enumerator is Lucy C. Menefee!
Roll: T625_1480, Page: 1A, ED: 211, Image: 0980
William C. Menefee, Head, Male, White, Age 38, Married, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Missouri, Father's Place of Birth Iowa, Mother's Place of Birth Iowa, Whether Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Farmer - General Farm, Working on Own Account O.A., Number of Farm Schedule 3, 000.
Lucy C. Menefee, Wife, Female, White, Age 46, Married, Able to Read Yes, Able to Write Yes, Place of Birth Iowa, Father's Place of Birth Pennsylvania, Mother's Place of Birth New York, Whether Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation None.
24 Oct 1921: Affidavit on Daughter Daisy Maude [Swartout]'s U.S. Passport Application:
"IDENTIFICATION.
October 24, 1921
I, Lucy Charlotte Menefee, solemnly swear that I am a native citizen of the United States; that I reside at Galena, Oklahoma; that I have known the above-named Daisy Maude Swartout personally for 32 years and know her to be a native citizen of the United States; and that the facts stated in her affidavit are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
/s/ Lucy Charlotte Menefee
Farmer & Housewife
Galena, Oklahoma"
Lucy and Bill had several wonderful years together and he was the love of her life, but he predeceased her. William died in an automobile accident in the 1920s sometime leaving Lucy a widow.
Lucy returned to James Butka to apologize for what she did to him and leaving him and asking if she could come back (even though they never had a strong love relationship like she did with William), but it was too late.
Divorced in OK. (See Wm. Menefee 1930 Census).
1930: Moved to CA. (Death Certificate - resident of state 30 years).
1930: Living with a paternal first cousin, Flora Lurinda Fields (Wicker).
1930 U. S. Federal Census (April 11): Monterey Park, Los Angeles County, California;
Roll: 173; Page: 13A; Enumeration District: 1423; Image: 695.0.
Street: N. New Avenue
House 307, Dwelling 357, Family 358
Flora L. Wicker, Head, Female, White, Age 57, Widowed, Age at first marriage 22 [m. abt 1895], Attended School No, Able to Read and Write Yes, Birthplace Iowa, Birthplace of Father Pennsylvania, Birthplace of Mother New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation Rad Engineer, Radioton Co., 1X28c, Class of Worker - Wages, Employed Yes, Veteran No.
Lucy C. Menefee, Cousin, Female, White, Age 59, Marital Condition Widowed, Age at first marriage 16, Attended School No, Able to Read and Write Yes, Birthplace Iowa, Birthplace of Father Pennsylvania, Birthplace of Mother New York, Able to Speak English Yes, Occupation None.
About 1930: When Dr. Hersel returned from South America, his mother, Lucy Menefee, was recovering from an auto accident. Her husband, Bill Menefee had divorced her a few years before, and she wanted to move in and keep house and cook for us. This was her way of trying to make it up to Hersel for deserting him at 9 years of age. A still youngish, fun loving woman, she didn't want to be called Grandma, so hereafter she became "Nana" to all of us. These were wonderful years for Aileen and Jean--they dearly loved this "Grandma", the only one they'd known.
Then, for a while Lucy lived in the basement of the Butka Medical Building, Pomona, Los Angeles County, California. This is where she was living when Mabel died.
After her daughter Mabel died, she went to live with Hersel Butka and his daughters, Aileen (who was often away at school) and Jean, to help take care of them until Hersel married Hazel (his nurse). Aileen and Jean lovingly referred to Lucy as "Nana."
m. (3). After 1930, Mr. Lee. Lucy married a third time to a Lee (probably his surname), but it was short-term and this marriage didn't work out. They divorced. Lucy kept her second marriage's surname of Menefee afterward.
Check in CA?
1935: (See 1940 Census).
1936: Moved to Los Angeles County, California, where she lived the next 24 years until her death. (Death Cert.).
1938 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 42:
"Butka, Hersel E, 255 Monroe st......................physician, R
Butka, Mrs Mabel W, 255 Monroe av..............physician, R"
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 255 Monroe av................housewife, D"
1940 U. S. Federal Census (April):
Not with Hersel & Mabel in Pomona, San Jose, Los Angeles County, California
1942 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 54:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av................nurse, D"
1944 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 60:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av................nurse, D"
1946 CA Voter Registration, Los Angeles Co., Roll 65:
"Menefee, Mrs Lucy C, 195 E Monterey av, D"
-----------
Lucy was very religious, a good christian, and sometimes, during efforts (which are when outside ministers have a series of meetings to bring people into the church) she had memorized all of Revelations from the Bible and would recite a chapter at a time at the meetings. She had a good memory.
At the age of 70 Lucy continued to enjoy playing hymns on the piano.
She had blonde hair, blue eyes, was 5'1" tall, and weighed 180 lbs. at age 88.
Late in life she had a hard time walking and she couldn't get around very well.
She also had a glass eye. (Source: G. N. B.).
B. J. B. provides:
"My understanding is that when Nana left James Butka she took Letha with her, leaving the other children, including my father Hersel, who was about 10 or 12. The family story is that he then ran away from home to look for her, and wound up being picked up by the police and put in jail for a night or two until he could be returned to his father. I don't know how or when Letha returned to live with her family.
Nana married a horse-trainer named Menefee, and was estranged from the family until she was very old, and finally reconciled with Aunt Daisy (Swartout). When I knew her she was ancient and lived in a little cottage in Aunt Daisy and Uncle Hubert's garden, and the most remarkable fact about her as far as I was concerned--I was six--was that she could remove one eyeball and kept it in a little galss beside her bed. She died a year or so after that."
L. A. B. provides:
Grandfather James Butka was a hardworking, serious farmer all his life, which was approximately 88 years. When he was 25 years old he married a pretty, curly-haired, blue-eyed, fun-loving 16-year-old, Lucy Fields. Within a few years five children were born, the oldest and youngest were girls, with three boys between.
James, nearly ten years older than Lucy, was a rather stern man without much of a sense of humor. His very young wife struggled along, but after around 17 years of marriage, all work and no play, could bear it no longer. She left her husband and family, taking Letha, still a baby, with her. My father, Hersel, the next youngest, was only nine years old. The eldest, Daisy, was around 15 or 16, and she did her best to care for her three brothers, until James remarried.
Meanwhile, Lucy found her true love in Bill Menefee, and they married. Bill was an itinerant preacher, and Bill and Lucy traveled from place to place holding Evangelistic meetings. Bill preaching, and Lucy playing the piano. Between times they worked on farms until they'd saved enough to launch the next Evangelistic series. Theirs was what we today would call an Independent ministry, and Lucy always looked back on these years as the happiest time of her life.
L. A. B. also provides:
Lucy "Nana" Charlotte Fields (Menefee) enjoyed life, taught her and her sister Jean how to cook (cornbread was the first thing Aileen ever made), she never scolded them or spanked them. She was so enjoyable. She was with them most of the time after they returned from South America for about three years. She was at both Holt Avenue homes.
She had a piano, a sofa, and a bed in the little cottage at Aunt Daisy's home and she thought she was past four score by 7-8 by reason of strength and her time was up. She lived long enough.
12-20-1953: Lucy gave her granddaughter (from Hersel), R. J. B., a wedding card with a gift - pin on watch, and wrote: "Dearest Jean and Kenny, Love Nana, (inside), My most-treasured treasure. To my most treasured girl. Nana."
[As of 8-10-2006 R. J. B. (K.) still has this card and gift as originally received. Jean never wore it, but her paternal grandmother Lucy did.]
11-27-1958 article in The Mountain Democrat, Placerville, California:
FAMILY REUNION
Dr. and Mrs. Hersel E. Butka and children, Brenda and Gary, attended a family reunion hold at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Hubert O. Swartout of Arroyo Grande over the weekend of Nov. 15 and 16. Mrs. Swartout is a sister of Dr. Butka. Dr. Swartout is county health officer of San Luis Obispo county and a former health officer of Los Angeles county. Dr. Butka's mother [Lucy C. Fields Menefee], who is 87 years old, makes her home with the Swartouts. Others present were Dr. Leslie Butka of Pomona, and Elder and Mrs. V. M. Hansen of Arlington, Mrs. Hansen is also a sister of the Drs. Butka; Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence Butka and son, Kenneth, of Arcadia, also attended, Kenneth will be leaving this week to begin service with the armed forces. Before returning to Camino, the Butkas also called on Dr. and Mrs. Jack Elvin of Grover City.
d. 10 Jan 1960, in La Verne, Los Angeles County, California, Lucy Charlotte Fields (Butka) (Menefee) died at age 88.
California Death Index 1940-1997:
MENEFEE, LUCY C.
Social Security #:
Sex: FEMALE
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1871
Birthplace: IOWA
Death Date: 10 Jan 1960
Death Place: LOS ANGELES
DEATH CERTIFICATE:
Name: Lucy Charlotte Menefee.
Date of Death: January 10, 1960.
Hour: 5:00 P.M.
Sex: Female.
Color or Race: White.
Birthplace: Iowa.
Date of Birth: February 22, 1871.
Age: 88.
Name and Birthplace of Father: Charles Fields, Iowa.
Name and Birthplace of Mother: Unknown, Unknown.
Citizen of What Country: U.S.A.
Social Security Number: None.
Last Occupation: Housewife.
Number of Years in this Occupation: 70.
Kind of Industry or Business: Own Home.
In the Armed Forces: No.
Status: Widowed.
Place of Death: La Verne Sanitarium, 2278 Seventh Street, La Verne, Los Angeles County.
Length of Stay in County of Death: 24 years.
Length of Stay in California: 30 years.
Last Usual Residence: 359 Baseline Road, La Verne, Los Angeles County, California.
Name of Informant: Daisy B. Swartout. [Daughter]
Address of Informant: 155 Fairview Drive, Arroyo Grande, California.
Physician: I hereby certify that death occurred at the hour, date, and place stated above from the causes stated below and that I attended deceased from 12/23 to 1-10 and that I last saw the deceased alive on 1-10. Signed L. H. Butka MD. [Leslie Harrison Butka - Son] Address: 195 E. Monterey, Pomona, Cal. Signed 1-11-60.
Burial. Date: 1-13-60. Grand View Cemetery, Glendale, California. Embalmer Ernest T. Crooke, License No. 1920, Funeral Director: Todd Memorial Chapel, Date Accepted for Registration Jan. 12, 1960.
Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage - 2 Weeks. Due to Arteriosclerosis - 5 Years.
Operation: No. Autopsy: No. Injury Information 2 3 (circled) 1.
Service at 12:30 p.m. at Todd Chapel, Pomona, Los Angeles County, California.
Interment Record: No. 18981. Lucy Charlotte Menefee, (2-22-1871), Age 88 years, Nat. Iowa, Date 1-13-1960, Undertaker Todd Memorial Chapel, Informant, Mrs. Daisy B. Swartout, 155 Fairview Drive, Arroyo Grande, California. C-G9299.
Gravesite Details
No marker.
Family Members
Siblings
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