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ODU Community Collections
3000 Perry Library4427 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
Business Number: 757-683-5350
libspecialcollections@odu.edu
URL: https://www.odu.edu/library/special-collections
Ellis E. O'Neal, Jr.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use
[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restrictions.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Box [insert number], Folder [insert number and title], Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
Source of Acquisition
"Hap" Forrest White
Method of Acquisition
Gift. Accession #A85-1
Biographical or Historical Information
Hugh Lee Butler, son of Le Grande Cornelius Butler and Martha Watkins Simpson Butler (d. 1897), was born July 19, 1871 in Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia. He had three brothers: Percy H., Hunter C. (d. 1905), and Stanley W. (d. 1923). Butler's parents moved to Norfolk when he was nine years old. He attended public schools in Farmville and Norfolk.
Butler married Effie Lee Grace, at the residence of W. E. Brown. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. T. Whitley. They became the parents of one daughter, Alice, and three sons, Hugh Lee Jr., Willard H., and Robert T., all of whom survived him. His wife died on December 17, 1935.
Butler began as an office boy at the Seaboard Air Line Railway on May 12, 1884. Promotion followed promotion over the years. In 1922, he was promoted to the position of contracting freight agent, a position he held until his retirement. On March 19, 1937, he received a congratulatory letter from L. R. Powell and Col. Henry W. Anderson upon completion of 50 years' service to the Seaboard. G. B. Rice presented him a 50- year service medal on behalf of the company. He retired at age 70, the Seaboard being the only company for which he had ever worked.
Butler's political career was a distinguished one. It began on what was known as the Common Council, July 1, 1902, representing Brambleton. His term as a member of the Norfolk City Council expired August 31, 1938, after 36 years of service.
He began his career as a member of the Charter Commission in 1902 and served on that body and the Select Council until the council-city manager form of government became a reality. Then he served as a member of the new government for 20 years. He also served on such committees as: Finance, Fire, Public Improvement and Annexation. He served many times as a member of the Democratic Committee from Brambleton and as chair of the Local Draft Board No. 1 from April 1, 1917 - March 31, 1919. He became especially involved in responding to citizens whose need for municipal services had not been met and civil servants (teachers, municipal workers) whose salaries had been cut during the Depression. Members of the Afro-American community found him to be a champion for their causes. One evidence of his tie to that community was a note from P. B. Young, publisher of the Afro-American Journal and Guide when Butler's wife died. He also worked on such projects as the introduction of parking meters to Norfolk and a study of school needs, both salaries as well as space.
Butler was known as a person of personal integrity, one who was loyal in his support of the city's welfare and one who had a mastery of the city's business. These traits provide a partial explanation as to the length of his political career. His service of 36 years was the longest in Norfolk's modern history. An appraisal of his life was best expressed in a resolution passed by the City Council on February 5, 1946: "That in the death of Hugh L. Butler, the citizens of Norfolk have lost a faithful and conscientious public servant, whose interest in their welfare and efforts in their behalf will long be remembered, and the City has lost a valued citizen of outstanding integrity and fidelity." Though he retired from public office in 1938, he continued as a public servant. His appointment by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on October 12, 1940, as Secretary to Norfolk City Draft Board No. 4 is just one instance of his service.
He was in demand as a speaker before such organizations as the Ballantine Civic Association and the Ocean View Democratic and Social Club. He was made an honorary member of the Norfolk Athletic Club.
He died at his home on January 28, 1946 following two heart attacks the previous week.
Note written by Ellis E. O'Neal, Jr.
Scope and Contents
The bulk of the collection consists of material related to Hugh Lee Butlers's time on the Norfolk City Council as a representative of Brambleton (parking meters; race relations; Foreman Field; city anniversaries; Museum of Arts and Sciences; blue laws; study of schools); his service on the Local Draft Board from 1917 to 1922 (alleged draft evaders, delinquents, deserters); personal and family papers (tax returns, financial records, obituaries, condolences); pamphlets and brochures of Norfolk; clippings from Norfolk newspapers; and, a scrapbook. The correspondence is arranged chronologically, or in original order as clipped together.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Butler, Hugh Lee (1871-1946)
- City council members--Virginia--Norfolk
- Norfolk (Va.)--History--20th century
- Norfolk (Va.)--Politics and government--20th century
- Race relations--History--20th century
Physical Access Requirements
All clippings in Folders 16-19 and items in Scrapbook are too fragile for researchers to handle. Please consult Special Collections and University Archives staff for assistance.
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- Norfolk (Va.)--History--20th century
- Norfolk (Va.)--Politics and government--20th century
Container List
- Sub-Series A
Sub-Series A: Norfolk City Council and General1923-1939
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
Box 1
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1 Folder 1
Folder 1: Councilman Duties1923 March 10-1936 November 20Scope and Contents
Railroad Retirement Act; Concerns of Afro-Americans; Dedication of Foreman Field; City Anniversaries; Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 1, Councilman Duties, 1923 March 10-1936 November 20, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 2 Folder 2
Folder 2: Councilman Duties1936 November 21-1937 March 25Scope and Contents
Concerns of Afro-Americans; parking meter installation; Crime Prevention Conference; airport survey; 50-year Service Medal from Seaboard Air Line Railway
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 2, Councilman Duties, 1936 November 21-1937 March 25, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 3 Folder 3
Folder 3: Councilman Duties1937 March 26-May 29Scope and Contents
Parking meters; Blue Laws; Afro-American concerns
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 3, Councilman Duties, 1937 March 26-May 29, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 4 Folder 4
Folder 4: Councilman Duties1937 June 1-October 23Scope and Contents
Railroad Retirement Act; parking meters; Norfolk airport; "Union Mission" for Afro-Americans
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 4, Councilman Duties, 1937 June 1-October 23, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 5 Folder 5
Folder 5: Councilman Duties1937 October 25-1938 March 28Scope and Contents
Teachers' salaries; Police Dept.; Atlantic Coast Fleet; WPA project
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 5, Councilman Duties, 1937 October 25-1938 March 28, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 6 Folder 6
Folder 6: Councilman Duties1938 April 1-June 23Scope and Contents
Councilman election; Afro-American concerns; political address; WPA project
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 6, Councilman Duties, 1938 April 1-June 23, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 7 Folder 7
Folder 7: Councilman Duties1938 June 28-1939 August 31Scope and Contents
Study of high schools; Norfolk Museum of Arts and Sciences; Hugh Lee Butler's retirement
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 7, Councilman Duties, 1938 June 28-1939 August 31, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 1 Folder 1
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
- Sub-Series B
Sub-Series B: World War I Draft Board Records1917-1922
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
Box 1
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 8 Folder 8
Folder 8: Draft Board Records for World War I1917 December 1-1922 April 25Scope and Contents
Cases of alleged draft evaders, delinquents, deserters
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 8, Draft Board Records for World War I, 1917 December 1-1922 April 25, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 8 Folder 8
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
Box 1
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 9 Folder 9
Folder 9: Railroad Retirement ActundatedPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 9, Railroad Retirement Act, undated, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 9 Folder 9
- Sub-Series A
Sub-Series A: General Correspondence1896-1952
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
Box 1
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 10 Folder 10
Folder 10: Elks Memorial Services1896 December 6-1937 April 21Scope and Contents
Invitations; acknowledgments; rental receipts
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 10, Elks Memorial Services, 1896 December 6-1937 April 21, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 11 Folder 11
Folder 11: Family items1937 April 22-1952Scope and Contents
Receipts, including rental receipts
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 1, Folder 11, Family items, 1937 April 22-1952, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 1 folder: 10 Folder 10
- Mixed Materials box: 1 Box 1
- Sub-Series B
Sub-Series B: Financial Records1920-1953
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
Box 2
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 1 Folder 1
Folder 1: Virginia and Norfolk Tax Returns for Hugh Lee Butler and Alice B Cruser1939-1953Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 1, Virginia and Norfolk Tax Returns for Hugh Lee Butler and Alice B Cruser, 1939-1953, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 2 Folder 2
Folder 2: Federal Tax Returns1920-1941Preferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 2, Federal Tax Returns, 1920-1941, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 1 Folder 1
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
- Sub-Series C
Sub-Series C: Family Obituaries and Condolences1905-1935
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
Box 2
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 3 Folder 3
Folder 3: Death Notices1905-1935Scope and Contents
Death notices for brothers and wife
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 3, Death Notices, 1905-1935, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 3 Folder 3
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
Box 2
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 4 Folder 4
Folder 4: Primary Norfolk and Tidewater VirginiaundatedPreferred Citation
[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 4, Primary Norfolk and Tidewater Virginia, undated, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 4 Folder 4
- Mixed Materials box: 2 Box 2
Box 2
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 5 Folder 5
Folder 5: Miscellaneous Clippings1922, undatedScope and Contents
From the: Public Ledger; Virginia and Pilot; Norfolk Landmark; Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark; and, Times-Advocate. Includes 1922 election of Butler et al., picture of Butler; articles on Spanish-American War; and current events.
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 5, Miscellaneous Clippings, 1922, undated, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 5a Folder 5a
Folder 5a: Miscellaneous Clippings1922, undatedScope and Contents
From the: Public Ledger; Virginia and Pilot; Norfolk Landmark; Virginian-Pilot and the Norfolk Landmark; and, Times-Advocate. Includes 1922 election of Butler et al., picture of Butler; articles on Spanish-American War; and current events.
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 5a, Miscellaneous Clippings, 1922, undated, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 6 Folder 6
Folder 6: Clippings from Norfolk Newspapers1922-1940, undatedScope and Contents
Includes Norfolk City unofficial / official election results (1922-1940); proposed charter change; editorial re. Late Richard W Peatross; Draft Board appointments (including Butler) by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Oct 12 1940.
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 6, Clippings from Norfolk Newspapers, 1922-1940, undated, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 7 Folder 7
Folder 7: Clippings from Norfolk Virginian-Pilot1939 September 1-November 3Scope and Contents
re. Beginning and progress of World War I.
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 2, Folder 7, Clippings from Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 1939 September 1-November 3, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 2 folder: 5 Folder 5
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Box 3
Box 3
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 1 Folder 1
Folder 1: Clipping from Norfolk Newspapers1906-1924, undatedScope and Contents
Include death of Woodrow Wilson; 'Jim Crow' law effective Jun 13 1906.
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 1, Clipping from Norfolk Newspapers, 1906-1924, undated, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 2 Folder 2
Folder 2: Clipping from Norfolk Newspapers1906-1924, undatedScope and Contents
Include death of Woodrow Wilson; 'Jim Crow' law effective Jun 13 1906.
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 2, Clipping from Norfolk Newspapers, 1906-1924, undated, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 1 Folder 1
- Mixed Materials box: 3 Box 3
Box 3
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 3 Folder 3
Folder 3: Scrapbook1897-1905, undatedScope and Contents
Various clippings beginning about Apr 18 1897 from Public Ledger. Include poems; Civil War reports; current events; funeral of sister-in-law, Cassie Grace; deaths of mother, Mrs. Martha A (sic) Butler (1897) and brother, Hunter C Butler (1905).
Preferred Citation[Identification of item and date], Box 3, Folder 3, Scrapbook, 1897-1905, undated, Hugh Lee Butler Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Old Dominion University Libraries.
- Mixed Materials box: 3 folder: 3 Folder 3