Obituary:
Rev. Elijah Henegar Buttram
1832-1916

Buttram. – Elijah H. Buttram, was born in Meigs County, Tennessee, October 13, 1832, coming to this state in 1851. He was converted when quite young, uniting with the Missionary Baptist Church. After coming to this state he united with the M. E. Church South, in 1852. Married to Miss Nancy Misor, August 4, 1853. To this union were born 10 children, four preceding him to the other world. He leaves a loving wife, six children, one brother, Dottie Buttram, a number of relatives and friends to mourn his departure. He received local deacon’s orders at the hands of Bishop Hargrove at Buttram’s Chapel July 27, 1884. Uncle Lige, as we all called him, was one of the most noble Christian men I ever met. His spotless life, his great energy and force made him a leader and the fruits of his labor will show for many years. He has living monuments in churches that he, throughout his preaching gathered the material and organized. Not stopping at that but giving more than any other man on a house of worship. Three are known to the writer that through his own personal labor were completed and dedicated. He was not a highly educated man, but a man on wonderful natural ability, preaching God’s word in such power that it drove conviction to the heart of the sinner. In 1892 he was assigned to this work, then Bentonville Circuit, under V. V. Harian, Presiding Elder and served until 1899. He was greatly afflicted several years ago and was not able to continue preaching. He lived a quite lift in his little home in Pea Ridge. There I visited him every few days. His entire thought and conversation were for the advancement for the Methodist Church. During my meeting this summer we went to this home as he was not able to attend. During the service men whose hair was gray testified that through Uncle Lige’s life and influence they were brought to Christ. I thought how beautiful the old soldier of the cross, listening to the battles fought and victory’s won. He and his brother were talking a short time before his death. Uncle Lige remarked: “I once had a good farm and plenty of stock. I gave it all to the Lord and if by chance was to live over I would do the same again.” But his work was over as he stood in the evening shadows of his eighty-third year the summons came. He was sick about four weeks. All that loving hands could do could not retain that noble and sublime soul in its tabernacle of clay. On September, 1916, without a struggle, the life of one of earth’s most noble men passed away to that beautiful city where a crown of everlasting life can adorn his brow. He left this earth with his arms laden with golden grain to lay at his Master’s feet. The funeral services were held at Buttram’s Chapel, after which the remains were laid to rest in that cemetery at the spot where the alter of the old church was, around which he spent so many successful years for his Lord, who at last has said: “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of the Lord.” C. E. Cullom, His Pastor.

The Arkansas Methodist, Little Rock, AR, 16 November 1916.
Courtesy of Rev. Melvin Coffelt, Centerton, AR, January 1992.