William Butler (1790–1850)

William Butler Jr. (February 1, 1790 – September 25, 1850) was a 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 byWaddy Thompson, Jr.
Succeeded byIsaac E. Holmes
Personal details
Born(1790-02-01)February 1, 1790
Edgefield District, South Carolina
DiedSeptember 25, 1850(1850-09-25) (aged 60)
Fort Gibson, Indian Territory
Resting placeVan Buren, Arkansas
Political partyWhig
Spouse(s)
Jane Tweedy Perry
​
​
(m. 1819; his death 1850)​
RelationsAndrew Butler (brother)
Pierce Mason Butler (brother)
ChildrenMatthew Calbraith Butler
ParentsWilliam Butler
Behethland Moore Butler
Alma materSouth Carolina College
ProfessionDoctor, Indian agent
Military service
AllegianceUnited States of America
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
Years of service1814–1820
RankSurgeon
Battles/warsWar of 1812

Early life

Butler 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

During 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

While 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
  1. "BUTLER, William - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  2. Martin, Samuel J., Southern Hero, Matthew Calbraith Butler, Stackpole Books, 2001 ISBN 0-8117-0899-3
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Waddy Thompson, Jr.		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from South Carolina's 6th congressional district
1841–1843		 Succeeded by
Isaac E. Holmes
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