H. Eugene Button was born in Alden on August 23, 1871 and died here March 27, 1927 aged 55 years, 5 months and 4 days. He attended the Alden public school from which he graduated in 1888 then spent four years at the State Teacher’s College at Cedar Falls receiving his Bachelor of Di. Degree in 1892. Five years later he completed his Masters course at Drake University and in 1899 was awarded the degree of L.L.B. and was admitted to the bar. He was married March 17, 1894 at Sate Center to Miss Jean Campbell Bassett who survives. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. G.O. Bigelow of this place.

Following the completion of his college studies at Cedar Falls he taught school for five years, one year at Williams and four at Steamboat Rock. After being admitted to the bar he formed a partnership with his father, J.A. Button and conducted a law and insurance business in which he continued until his appointment by President Wilson as Postmaster at Alden, which position he assumed on February 11, 1916 and continued in office until July 1, 1924.

Previous to becoming Postmaster he had served in various official capacities including Town Clerk for ten years, Secretary of the School Board for thirteen years and Park Commissioner for twelve years. He was also Chairman of the World War Committee and during the entire war period was identified with the work in an official capacity.

Deceased was a member of the Methodist Church and for ten years served on the official board as Steward. He was also Superintendent of the Sunday School for seventeen years and he introduced the graded lessons now being taught in the school.

He was a charter member and one of the eight organizers of the Alden Eastern Star Chapter, being the first Worthy Patron; a past Master of Radiant Lodge, A.F. & A.M., a thirty-second degree Mason, also a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.

To Mr. Button is due much credit for Alden’s having a Carnegie Library. He with others recognized the need of such an institution and the matter was taken up with the Carnegie Foundation with the result that Alden has a fine library building and also the distinction of being the smallest town to have such a building. Mr. Button was for a number of years a member of the Library Board.

Source: The Alden Times, Mar 31, 1927