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.[2]

John Cornelius Butler
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York
In office
January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1953
Preceded byChester C. Gorski
Succeeded byDistrict eliminated
Constituency44th district
In office
April 22, 1941 – January 3, 1949
Preceded byPius Schwert
Succeeded byChester C. Gorski
Constituency42nd district (1941–45)
44th district (1945–49)
Personal details
Born(1887-07-02)July 2, 1887
Buffalo, New York, US
DiedAugust 13, 1953(1953-08-13) (aged 66)
Buffalo, New York, US
Resting placeForest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York
Political partyRepublican
SpouseFrances T. Pachowiak (m. 1908)
Children3
OccupationElectrician
Union official
NicknameJack

Biography

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

Butler worked in businesses on Buffalo's Lake Erie waterfront, primarily as an electrician.[2] He later became active in several unions, including the longshoremen's, grain elevator employees', and electrical workers'.[2]

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.[2] He served from April 22, 1941, until January 3, 1949.[2] He failed to be reelected in 1948.[2] 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.[2]

In 1950, Butler was again elected to the U.S. House, and he served from January 3, 1951, to January 3, 1953.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

After leaving Congress, Butler lived in retirement in Buffalo.[2] He died in Buffalo on August 13, 1953.[2] He was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo.[2]

In 1908, Butler was married to Frances T. Pachowiak.[5][6][7] They were the parents of three sons, George, John, and Henry.[5]

References

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  1. ^ U.S. Congress (1989). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1989. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 717 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Biographical Directory.
  3. ^ "Pillion Wins Nomination Over Butler". The Hamburg Sun and the Erie County Independent. Hamburg, NY. August 21, 1952. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ 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. p. 1456 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ a b "1920 United States Federal Census, Entry for John C. Butler". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "Death Notice, Frances T. Butler". The Post-Star. Glens Falls, NY. Associated Press. February 11, 1971. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Ontario, Canada, Roman Catholic Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1760-1923, Entry for John C. Butler and Frances T. Pachowiak". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 42nd congressional district

April 22, 1941 – January 3, 1945
Succeeded by
Preceded by
District 44 created in 1945
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 44th congressional district

January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1949
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 44th congressional district

January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1953
Succeeded by
District 44 eliminated after the 1950 Census