Kelly Introduces Bill to Name Butler Post Office after Civil War Hero, Community Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (PA-16), joined by all 17 other Members of the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation, introduced bipartisan legislation to name the U.S. Post Office located at 345 South Main Street in Butler, Pennsylvania, as 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. “During a monument dedication in 1889 on the Gettysburg Battlefield, Mr. Williams said, ‘Monuments are as old as our race and all along the history of the dim and dusty age down to the bright and joyous present we have been perpetuating the memory of heroic men.’ I am honored to cement the memory of this heroic man in our nation’s history.”

The bill can be found here.

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A speech given by Butler historian Bill May on the life of Andrew Gomer Williams was inserted into the Congressional Record on June 16, 2021.

The Congressional Record can be found here.

"Having researched the life of Union Captain Andrew G. Williams, I discovered a man of high character and integrity on and off the battlefields of the Civil War," May said. "It is thus very appropriate to have the Butler Post Office named in his honor!"

BACKGROUND

In 1861, at the age of 21, Andrew Gomer Williams enlisted in the Union Army, assigned to help
raise three companies of men in the newly created 63rd PA Volunteers. He was soon promoted
to the rank of Captain of Company E of the 63rd PA Volunteers. Mr. Williams led his company
in over a dozen battles, ultimately being wounded four times, including in 1863 when he was
thought to have been killed in action. However, four days later, he was miraculously found alive
on the battlefield. He then carried out the rest of his service alongside his regiment until August
6, 1864.

After the war, Mr. Williams returned home to Pittsburgh to study law while working in the
factories to support his family following his father’s death. Despite 13 tragic deaths in Mr.
Williams’ own family, his dedication to his community never faltered. 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.