One more veteran has answered the Last Roll Call here on earth, and gone to join the Heavenly Host.

Joseph Langham Buterbaugh was born Nov. 18, 1839, near Gettysburg, Penn. He departed this life Nov. 14, 1930, at his home in Gothenburg, Nebr., at the age of 90 years, 11 months and 26 days. He was the eldest of a family of fourteen children.

He answered his country’s call by enlisting at Gettysburg, Sept. 10, 1861, in Co. D, 78th Volunteer Infantry of Pennsylvania, and served for a year with the army of the Cumberland. He took part in the battle of Green River, Kentucky, and minor engagements and skirmishes. In 1862 he was honorably discharged, owing to physical disability. After leaving the service he returned to his home and later was employed as night watchman at Washington, D.C.

On Sept. 3, 1863, he was united in marriage to Mariah Lewis, at Gettysburg, Pa. To this union were born 10 children, eight of whom, with his wife, remain to remember with loving gratitude, the care of such a father. They are: Israel C., and Minnie Young, of Crook, Colo.; Ella Stanley of Cozad, Daisy Wallace of Anaheim, Calif., Ada Fairbank of Artesia, Calif., Ida Adney, Margret Stiff and George, of Gothenburg. He leaves 30 grandchildren, and 28 great granchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Manuel, George and Ezekial.

He started their first home in Pennsylvania. In 1882 he and his family came to Dawson county, Nebraska, and located southeast of the city near White Rabbit Post Office, on a homestead of 160 acres. The nearest bridge across the Platte was at Plum Creek, now Lexington. It was six months after they located here that the first dwelling house was built in Gothenburg.

His heart and home were open to shelter and comfort all who came. Many a weary traveler will remember his hospitality with gratitude.

“Uncle Joe,” as he was commonly known, in his early life took a deep interest in local affairs, both political and religious.

He was the first Justice of the Peace of Antelope precinct, which office he served for ten years, joining in wedlock many couples.

He was a good Soldier of the Cross, accepting Christ and joining the Baptist church in his youth, and was ever loyal to his convictions and the defense of right against the wrong. He helped to organize several Baptist churches and Sunday Schools, among them the Antelope Center church. He was also a member of Thomas Martin Post 206, G. A. R. of Gothenburg.

He retired from farm life in 1904, and moved to this city, where he has since made his home, being a faithful member of the local Baptist church.

“Weep not tht his toils are over,
Weep not that his race is run.
God grant that we rest as calmly
When our work like his is done.
This then we yield with gladness,
Our Father to him to keep,
And rejoice in the sweet assurance
He giveth his loved one sheep.”

The funeral service was held on Sunday afternoon at the Baptist church, and was largely attended, many people not being able to get in. The floral tributes were many and beautiful. Rev. A. B. Colvin, pastor of the church, officiated, preaching the funeral sermon from the text II Timothy 4:6-8. Mr. George Logan of Cozad spoke briefly. Several appropriate hymns were sung by the Antelope Center Male Quartette. The pall bearers were six grandsons of the deceased, Merle, Ralph, Lockard, and Milton Stanley, Wayne and Miles Buterbaugh. Burial was in the Pleasant View cemetery.

The sympath of the entire community is extended to the sorrowing family.

The Gothenburg Times 23(24):1 Wednesday, November 19, 1930