William Butler Jr. (February 1, 1790 – September 25, 1850) was an American physician, slaveholder, and United States representative from South Carolina. He was a son of William Butler (1759–1821), brother of Andrew Butler, and father of Matthew Calbraith Butler, all of whom served in the United States Congress.
William Butler | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 6th district | |
| In office March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 | |
| Preceded by | Waddy Thompson Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Isaac E. Holmes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 1, 1790 Edgefield District, South Carolina, US |
| Died | September 25, 1850 (aged 60) Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, US |
| Resting place | Van Buren, Arkansas, US |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse |
Jane Tweedy Perry
(m. 1819) |
| Relations | Andrew Butler (brother) Pierce Mason Butler (brother) |
| Children | Matthew Calbraith Butler |
| Parent(s) | William Butler Behethland Moore Butler |
| Alma mater | South Carolina College |
| Profession | Doctor, Indian agent |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1814–1820 |
| Rank | Surgeon |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
Early life
editButler was born near the present town of Saluda, South Carolina on February 1, 1790. He was a son of William Butler (1759–1821) and Behethland Foote (née Moore) Butler (1764–1853). Among his siblings was brother Andrew Butler, a Democratic U.S. Senator from North Carolina. Pierce Mason Butler was Governor of South Carolina from 1836 to 1838.
He graduated from South Carolina College at Columbia, South Carolina in 1810.[1] He had studied medicine and was licensed to practice.[2]
Career
editDuring the War of 1812, he served as a United States Navy surgeon at the Battle of New Orleans. Butler served in the Navy until June 6, 1820, when he resigned.[1]
In 1825, he moved to Greenville, South Carolina where he began practice as a country doctor. He was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843). He served as agent of the Cherokee Indians from May 29, 1849, until his death the following year.[1]
Personal life
editWhile stationed in Rhode Island in 1819, he married Jane Tweedy Perry. She was a daughter of Christopher Raymond Perry, and was a sister to Oliver Hazard Perry and Matthew Calbraith Perry. Together, they were the parents of many children, including Matthew Calbraith Butler.[1]
Butler died in Fort Gibson, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) on September 25, 1850. He was buried near Van Buren, Arkansas.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "BUTLER, William - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ Martin, Samuel J., Southern Hero, Matthew Calbraith Butler, Stackpole Books, 2001 ISBN 0-8117-0899-3
External links
edit- United States Congress. "William Butler (id: B001195)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- William Butler at Find a Grave
- Collected Receipts of William Butler of Greenville - Greenville County Library System Digital Collections