Joseph Thum Butler was born on May 21st, 1904 to his birth parents Vinzenz Thum and Anna (or Annie) Elizabeth Thum (maiden name Neukamm). He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Joseph's mother died shortly afterward on August 19, 1904, at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City.

In 1904, William and Jane Butler were the parents of ten children. Their daughter "Belle" was a nurse. As Annie Elizabeth Thum was dying, she asked Belle to take her baby to raise. Belle gave the woman her promise, and the Butlers took in little Joseph Thum as one more family member. [from Jean S., August 1981]

One original SLC birth record lists his name as "Anton J. Thum," in a nod to his grandfather "Anton Thum."
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Salt Lake Tribune from Jan. 14, 2003
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Joseph T. Butler 5/21/04 ~ 1/10/03 A People's Person:
Joseph Thum Butler, 98, passed away peacefully January 10, 2003 at St. Joseph's Villa from natural causes due to age. Joe was born May 21, 1904. He married Margaret Taylor Richards on October 4, 1928 and together they had two children: Jone and Joe Jr. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1926 with a B.S. degree from the School of Commerce and Finance. He was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity. Joe joined the Aetna Life Insurance Company in 1927 and became a General Agent for Utah in 1931. He worked for the Aetna for over 50 years until his retirement. He joined the Salt Lake Rotary Club in 1938, was a Paul Harris Fellow, served as First Vice-president (1943-44) and was Treasurer for ten years. His commitment to Rotary's motto, Service Above Self , was exhibited by being one of the founders of the Salt Lake Junior Chamber of Commerce, later serving as its president. He was also the president of the Utah Association of Sales Executives, president of the Utah Life Managers Association, and president of the University Club. More than anything Joe loved people and enjoyed traveling all over the world on freighters. He was preceded in death by his parents, William L. and Jane R. Butler; his wife, Margaret; daughter, Jone Butler Jacobson, and son-in-law, Lynn. He is survived by his son, Joseph T. Butler, Jr. (Sharon); grandson, [Private] and two great-grandchildren, [Private]; nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Thomas Caine, University Hospital, for years of excellent medical care and to the staff at St. Joseph's Villa for their loving and respectful care of him. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Christus St. Joseph's Villa in Joe's name, 451 Bishop Federal Lane, SLC, UT 84115. At Joe's request his remains will be cremated. A celebration of Joe's life will be held at the Alta Club, 100 E. South Temple, on Thursday, January 16th from 6 - 9 p.m. Family and friends are invited to attend.
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Many thanks to research by Susan T.

Birth parents:
Vinzenz Thum (1869-1922)
Anna Elizabeth Thum (1868-1904)

Birth half-brothers:
Herman Axel Kramer
Charles Everett Kramer