History Entry #2

The following is information on Frank Butler, and wife Jennie (Burnup), gleaned from Carol Butler writings of 1990.

Francis (Frank) Butler III: born Jan 24, 1876, Sutton Flats, Quebec, Canada; eldest of twelve children of Francis Butler II and Mary Ann York. Moved to Deseronto, Ontario, at 20 years old.

While living in Deseronto, ten siblings were born. They were neighbors with the Burnup family of Frank III's future wife Jennie, who was born Nov. 22, 1884, also in Deseronto. Her family moved to Watertown, NY about 1887. Jennie had seven older siblings, and attended Meade St. school in Watertown, as did her offspring.

About 1897, the Frank Butler family also moved to Watertown, once again neighbors of the Burnups.

Frank and Jennie were married March 21, 1901, later parenting eight children: George, Anne, William, Florence, Emma, Robert, Nelson (died of diphtheria at 4 years), and Naomi.

Frank and Jennie became naturalized U.S. citizens Nov. 16, 1918.

Frank worked many years in the paper manufacturing mills around Watertown.

During WW II, they moved to Syracuse, NY, where Frank worked at Brown-Lite Chapin, then as sextant at Brown Memorial Church, near their apartment on Grand Ave, and retired at 95 years old.

Jennie enjoyed making aprons and raised miniature terriors for sale, and this helped to supplement their income.

She died in her sleep of high blood pressure complications June 6, 1966. Frank continued to live alone in the apartment, while Florence, who lived next door, prepared his meals.

In 1973, Frank's age began to show it's signs, with poor circulation and dementia, so he spent the summer at Silver Shores on Lake Ontario, with Emma. In August 1973, he was admitted to Samaritan Keep Home, and remained there, quite alert, until just after his 101st birthday. He gradually failed until his death at 5:55 AM on September 5, 1977.

Frank and Jennie are buried next to each other at North Watertown Cemetery, on Bradley St.,(spaces #1 and 2, north side of Lot 116, Section A).