John Cornelius Butler Explained

John Cornelius Butler
Office:Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York
Term Start:January 3, 1951
Term End:January 3, 1953
Preceded:Chester C. Gorski
Succeeded:District eliminated
Term Start1:April 22, 1941
Term End1:January 3, 1949
Preceded1:Pius Schwert
Succeeded1:Chester C. Gorski
Constituency1: (1941–45)
(1945–49)
Nickname:Jack
Birth Date:2 July 1887
Birth Place:Buffalo, New York, US
Death Place:Buffalo, New York, US
Resting Place:Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York
Spouse:Frances T. Pachowiak (m. 1908)
Children:3
Party:Republican
Occupation:Electrician
Union official

John Cornelius Butler (July 2, 1887  - August 13, 1953) was a Republican politician from New York.[1] He was most notable for his service as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1941 to 1949 and 1951 to 1953.

Biography

Butler was born in Buffalo, New York on July 2, 1887. He attended the public schools of Buffalo and graduated from Buffalo's Central High School.

Butler worked in businesses on Buffalo's Lake Erie waterfront, primarily as an electrician. He later became active in several unions, including the longshoremen's, grain elevator employees', and electrical workers'.

In 1941, Butler was elected to the U.S. House as a Republican in the special election held to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Pius Schwert. He served from April 22, 1941, until January 3, 1949. He failed to be reelected in 1948. After losing his seat, Butler was employed as sales manager for the Fire Equipment Sales Company and estimator for the Beacon Electrical Engineering and Construction Company, both of Buffalo.

In 1950, Butler was again elected to the U.S. House, and he served from January 3, 1951, to January 3, 1953. Because his district was eliminated after the 1950 census, in 1952 Butler ran in the 42nd District, where he lost the Republican nomination to John R. Pillion.[2] As a member of Congress, Butler was best known for his opposition to the Saint Lawrence Seaway, which he believed would have a detrimental effect on Buffalo's shipping and cargo handling industries.[3]

After leaving Congress, Butler lived in retirement in Buffalo. He died in Buffalo on August 13, 1953. He was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo.

In 1908, Butler was married to Frances T. Pachowiak.[4] [5] [6] They were the parents of three sons, George, John, and Henry.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: U.S. Congress . 1989 . Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1989 . Washington, DC . U.S. Government Printing Office . 717 . . .
  2. News: August 21, 1952 . Pillion Wins Nomination Over Butler . . Hamburg, NY . 1 . Newspapers.com.
  3. Book: Committee on Public Works . 1951 . St. Lawrence Seaway: Hearings Before the Committee on Public Works, U.S. House of Representatives . Washington, DC . U.S. Government Printing Office . 1456 . Google Books.
  4. Web site: 1920 United States Federal Census, Entry for John C. Butler . Ancestry.com . Ancestry.com, LLC . Lehi, UT . subscription . March 1, 2021.
  5. News: . February 11, 1971 . Death Notice, Frances T. Butler . . Glens Falls, NY . 2 . Newspapers.com.
  6. Web site: Ontario, Canada, Roman Catholic Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1760-1923, Entry for John C. Butler and Frances T. Pachowiak . Ancestry.com . Ancestry.com, LLC . Lehi, UT . subscription . March 1, 2021.