Butler post office could be named after Civil War veteran
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, introduced a bill Thursday that would name the U.S. Post Office on South Main Street in Butler after Andrew Gomer Williams, a Civil War veteran who went on to serve in the state House and Senate.
Joined by all 17 other members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation, Kelly introduced the bill in the House that would name the post office the “Andrew Gomer Williams Post Office Building.”
“Mr. Williams lived a life of service to his community and country. A Civil War veteran, PA State Representative, PA State Senator, local lawyer, and so much more – his commitment to helping others never wavered,” Kelly said.
In 1861, at the age of 21, Williams enlisted in the Army, assigned to help raise three companies of men in the newly created 63rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was promoted to captain of Company E.
Williams led his company in over a dozen battles, and was wounded four times, including in 1863 when he was thought to have been killed in action. He was found four days later, alive, on the battlefield.
After the war, Williams returned home to Pittsburgh to study law while working in the factories to support his family following his father’s death.
He opened a law firm in Butler, served two years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, four years in the Pennsylvania State Senate, 20 years as the choir director of Butler’s First Methodist Church, assisted soldiers’ spouses in receiving their Civil War Widow’s Pension and volunteered on the board of directors of the Civil War Orphans Home.
