The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-08
Celebration to Honor Man
Long Prominent in Civic
UpIift.
GAVE LAND FOR SCHOOL
College Made 'NameSake'
in Spite of Opposition
of Its Father.
BY ARCH sTEINEL


straightnesS of ages knowledge of
good work well done, guard a home
on the northwest corner of Thir-
tenth street and Park avenue-the
birthplace of Indianapolis major
university, Butler.
In that home Ovid Butler, the
university'S tounder-whoSe anniver-
sary the school will celebrate Satur-
day, Founders day-built not only
his family life, but kept warm in
his heart the thoughts and desires
for The fount Of knowledge he found
ed on Jan. Is, 1850.
The home, in the center of tract
of land owned by Butler, is the only
vestige left by modernity of the first
university grounds in Indianapolis.
Gives Land for College
Butler, after building his resi-
dence at Thirteenth street and Park
avenue, gave plot of ground
bounded by College avenue on the
west, the L. E. 81 w. tracks on the
east, Thirteenth street on the south,
and Fifteenth on the north, for the
erection of the Northwestern Chris
tian university-which later be-
came known as Butler college and
then by its present name of Butler
university.
The Northwestern Christian uni
versity opened its doors there on
Nov. /, 1855, with Butler as presi-
dent Of the board of directors.
The first graduating class in 1856
had three members.
In 1873 the board Of directors de-
termined to sell the university
grounds and move to Irvington.
Butler opposed the move, but in
1875 college classes were begun ON
the new campus.
Two years later the institutions
name was changed-again in OBJ
position to Buffers wishes-to
honor the schools benefactor.
Opposes Name Change
Modest of his own efforts in be-
half OF the school caused him to
oppose the change in it's name. The
college buildings formerly occupied
by Northwestern Christian univer-
sity, on the site donated by Butler.
have been lost in realtys perennial
yearly changes.
In 1927 work was begun on the
new university buildings at Fair
vieW-the school owns Fairview
Park-and the move from Irvington
was made in 1928.
The university's father had the
concise, logical. emphatic mind re-
quiSite of good attorneys.
Coming to Indiana at 16-he was
born in New York Feb. 7, 1801-he
became a practicing lawyer in
Shelbyville. Desiring to test his YER
bal lances with sturdier metal. he
moved to Indianapolis as a partner
IN the law firm of Fletcher, Lands.
and Butler.
Not content with courtroom
battles, at the close of the Mexican
war, he renowned the Democratic
party and aided in formation of the
Antl-Slavery Democrats and Wigs
into the Free Soil party. The Free
Sellers later became Indiana's first
Republican organization.
Turns to Journalism
From politics it was only wish
that sent him into journalisn1's
realms when h. established the In
diana Free Soil Democrat in 1852.
A year before he helped form North
western Christian university he
bought the Indiana State journal
and converted it into The Indianap-
oils Journal
Failing health, which caused his
purchase of the 200-acre tract where
Butler college had its inception. sent
him into the retirement of his Park
avenue home-He called it Forest
Home, due to the surrounding
woods.
John M. Shaw, president of King
an & Co., purchased the residence
from the Butler heirs in 1885. four
years after the death of Butler
DR.. Scot Butler, 124 Downey ave-
nue., is one Of three surviving chill
dren. DR.. Butler is celebrating his
85th birthday Saturday at the same
time the university honors his father
with cap and gown ceremonies and
a reception.
DR.. Butler is said to be the oldest
living graduate of Buffers parent
school.
Chauncey Butler of InterIachen.
Fla, a son, and Mrs. B. o. Thomas.
Minneapolis, a daughter, are the
other surviving children of the
founder.
Miss Evelyn Mitchell Butler, dean
OF women at Butler, is a grand~
daughter Of Ovid Butler.