Butler, William O
soldier, public official, poet, was born in 1793 in Jessamine county, Ky. He enlisted as a soldier in the war of 1812. He was elected a representative in congress from Kentucky in 1839, and re-elected in 1841. During the war with Mexico he obtained such distinction that he was promoted to the position of major-general in the regular army; and a sword was voted to him by congress. In 1848 he was the democratic candidate for vice-president, on the ticket with Lewis Cass for president. He was appointed governor of Nebraska territory, but declined the appointment. He was the author of many fugitive pieces of poetry, several of which possess common merit, and one, entitled The Boat Horn, attained great popularity. un-