Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Thomas Stalker BUTLER
Thomas Stalker Butler (November 4, 1855-May 26, 1928) was a U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, serving from March 4, 1897 until his death, having been elected to the House sixteen times. Thomas S. Butler was also the father of the famous Marine Corps General Smedley D. Butler.
Born in Uwchlan Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, he attended the common schools, West Chester State Normal School, and Wyer’s Academy in West Chester. He later studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1877, and commenced practice in West Chester. From 1885 to 1889 and again in 1927-1928 he served as trustee of the West Chester State Normal School. Butler was appointed judge of the fifteenth judicial district of Pennsylvania in 1888 and stood as an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1889. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1892.
Elected to Congress in his first term as an Independent Republican, he was elected as a Republican for each succeeding term. While in Congress, he was chairman of the Committee on Pacific Railroads (Fifty-ninth through Sixty-first Congresses) and member of the Committee on Naval Affiars (Sixty-sixth through Seventieth Congresses).
Butler died in office and was buried in Oaklands Cemetery, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
a nephew of Judge William Butler, he was better known as Congressman rather than as a lawyer or judge. He was the son of Samuel Butler and son-in-law of Smedley Darlington, two of Chester County's most influential Republicans.
Following his defeat for another term as Judge of Chester County in 1889 (by Joseph Hemphill, a Democrat), he was then appointed to serve out the unexpired term of Judge Futhey. He was subsequently elected to the United States Congress where he would serve for 33 years. While a member of Congress, he was Chairman of the Naval Committee. When the Japanese gave the now famous Cherry Trees to our National Capital, Butler as a member of Congress received a seedling. This tree is still standing and flourishes in the side yard of his old home at 228 West Miner Street in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
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