William Butler (judge)

William Butler (December 2, 1822 – November 2, 1909) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Education and career
William Butler was born on December 2, 1822, in Upper Uwchlan Township, Pennsylvania. He read law and was admitted to the bar on December 14, 1845. He was in private practice in West Chester, Pennsylvania and was district attorney of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania from 1856 to 1859. He was presiding judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Harrisburg from October 8, 1861, to his resignation on February 17, 1879, whereupon he was succeeded by West Chester attorney and historian J. Smith Futhey.

Federal judicial service
On February 12, 1879, Butler was nominated by President Rutherford B. Hayes to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania vacated by Judge John Cadwalader. Butler was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 19, 1879, and received his commission the same day. Butler served in that capacity until his retirement from the bench on January 31, 1899.

Death
His son William Butler Jr. was also a judge.

Butler died on November 2, 1909, in Chester County. He was interred at Oaklands Cemetery in West Chester.

His younger brother was Samuel Butler, who served as a Pennsylvania state representative and state treasurer.