Noble Chase Butler collection
Collection
Identifier: L026
Scope and Contents
The collection consists primarily of letters to Noah Chase Butler from the period 1870-1933. There are a number of letters from Walter Q. Gresham, his law partner, on political and legal affairs. A large portion of the remaining correspondence is family letters, including letters from his son, Noble Butler, Jr. while a student at Rose Polytechnic Institute, Terre Haute (1898) and from his daughters in Oberlin, Ohio; Ithaca, New York; and Summit, New Jersey. There are also letters regarding the mental illness of his son John (1907). Also included are a small number of Butler family legal documents and letters (1820-1869) and receipts for Butler family purchases, principally in Indianapolis (1880-1900).
Dates
- 1820-1933
Creator
- Butler, Noble Chase (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Noble Chase Butler was born in Salem, Indiana on February 21, 1844. His parents were John H. and Mary Chase Butler. He attended Hanover College for three years. While in his junior year in 1863, Butler enlisted in Company H of the 93rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry and fought in the U.S. Civil War.
When discharged in 1865, Butler began studying law at his father’s Salem law office. He also attended the University of Louisville law school. Butler continued his studies in New Albany at the law firm of his father and Walter Q. Gresham. He became a partner in the firm when he was admitted to the bar and remained there until 1867. He was then named registrar of bankruptcy in New Albany on the nomination and recommendation of Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. On May 27, 1868, he married Anne Browning of Lexington. They had six children including Alice, Anne, Florence, John and Noble, Jr.
Butler practiced law in New Albany until 1879 when he was called to Indianapolis to serve as clerk of the U.S. District Circuit Courts. When the Circuit Court was abolished in 1912, he continued as clerk of the District Court.
From 1902 to 1928, Butler lectured at the Indiana law school and was widely known for his skill as an orator and writer of essays. He contributed regularly to newspapers, legal publications, and magazines. Butler was one of the incorporators of the National Red Cross Society. The Indiana branch of the society, the American Red Cross, was organized in the library of his home. After five years of poor health, Noble Chase Butler died on October 7, 1933.
When discharged in 1865, Butler began studying law at his father’s Salem law office. He also attended the University of Louisville law school. Butler continued his studies in New Albany at the law firm of his father and Walter Q. Gresham. He became a partner in the firm when he was admitted to the bar and remained there until 1867. He was then named registrar of bankruptcy in New Albany on the nomination and recommendation of Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. On May 27, 1868, he married Anne Browning of Lexington. They had six children including Alice, Anne, Florence, John and Noble, Jr.
Butler practiced law in New Albany until 1879 when he was called to Indianapolis to serve as clerk of the U.S. District Circuit Courts. When the Circuit Court was abolished in 1912, he continued as clerk of the District Court.
From 1902 to 1928, Butler lectured at the Indiana law school and was widely known for his skill as an orator and writer of essays. He contributed regularly to newspapers, legal publications, and magazines. Butler was one of the incorporators of the National Red Cross Society. The Indiana branch of the society, the American Red Cross, was organized in the library of his home. After five years of poor health, Noble Chase Butler died on October 7, 1933.
Extent
0.6 Cubic Feet (2 manuscript boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Florence Butler.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing and finding aid completed by Christina Baich during October 2005. Finding aid revised by Edythe Huffman on 2015/11/09.
Creator
- Butler, Noble Chase (Person)
- Title
- Noble Chase Butler collection
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
