Background
Ovid Butler was born in Augusta, New New York His father, Chancey Butler, moved the family west to Jennings County, Indiana, in 1817.
Ovid Butler was born in Augusta, New New York His father, Chancey Butler, moved the family west to Jennings County, Indiana, in 1817.
Ovid studied law and practiced as an attorney in Shelbyville, Indiana, from 1825-1836.
Butler became interested and active in political and social issues. In 1849, Butler established the political and abolitionist newspaper Free Soil Banner. Due to bad health, Butler gave up his law practice in 1849, seeking retirement.
On January 15, 1850, the Indiana General Assembly approved the university.
On November 1, 1855, the North Western Christian University opened. Ovid Butler served as the head of the Board of Directors until 1871.
He became Chancellor of the University and, in 1877, the school became Butler is also the namesake of the Ovid Butler Society, a recognition society for "s most generous donors. Butler"s summer months were spent at Indiana"s Lake Wawasee where he had a residence in the vicinity of Vawter Park Village.
As a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Butler sought to establish a university for that Christian movement.