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==Background==

==Background==

Butler was born in Wytheville, Virginia, located in the mountainous [[Appalachia]] counties in the state's western portion. He was the youngest son born to George Butler, and a grandson of [[Lutheran]] reverend J. G. Butler. After leaning the tailor's trade as an apprentice, he attended night school, and was admitted to the bar in 1953 after studying law.

Butler was born in Wytheville, Virginia, located in the mountainous [[Appalachia]] counties in the state's western portion. He was the youngest son born to George Butler, and a grandson of [[Lutheran]] reverend J. G. Butler.<ref name=bio2>Barnes, William Horatio. [https://books.google.com/books?id=S9JOrGbbPtcC&pg=PA77#v=onepage&q&f=false The American Government ...: Biographies of members of the House of representatives of the Forty-third Congress], pp. 77–80. ''Google Books''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> After leaning the tailor's trade as an apprentice, he attended night school, and was admitted to the bar in 1953 after studying law.

As a lawyer, Butler practiced law in Taylorsville. During the presidency of [[Millard Fillmore]], he was appointed postmaster general.

As a lawyer, Butler practiced law in Taylorsville. During the presidency of [[Millard Fillmore]], he was appointed postmaster general.

Butler was elected to the Tennessee legislature in 1959, running as a Unionist in a Democrat-dominated state.<ref name=johnsoncitypress>Paykamian, Brandon (November 2, 2019). [https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/living/features/rep-roderick-butler-a-leader-to-local-civil-war-unionists/article_acadf748-55f9-5087-a621-a966dbfff2e7.html Rep. Roderick Butler, a leader to local Civil War Unionists]. ''Johnson City Press''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref>

Butler was elected to the Tennessee legislature in 1959, running as a Unionist in a Democrat-dominated state.<ref name=johnsoncitypress>Paykamian, Brandon (November 2, 2019). [https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/living/features/rep-roderick-butler-a-leader-to-local-civil-war-unionists/article_acadf748-55f9-5087-a621-a966dbfff2e7.html Rep. Roderick Butler, a leader to local Civil War Unionists]. ''Johnson City Press''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref>

As a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, Butler was among the state legislators who voted against seceding from the Union.<ref>Barnes, William Horatio. [https://books.google.com/books?id=S9JOrGbbPtcC&pg=PA77#v=onepage&q&f=false The American Government ...: Biographies of members of the House of representatives of the Forty-third Congress], pp. 77–80. ''Google Books''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref><ref>Temple, Oliver Perry. [https://books.google.com/books?id=g8xYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA352#v=onepage&q=butler&f=false East Tennessee and the Civil War], p. 223. ''Google Books''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> After the measure passed, he was among several state representatives, along with future House colleague Horace Maynard, to oppose resistance methods deemed revolutionary or extreme.<ref>''East Tennessee and the Civil War'', p. 352.</ref>

As a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, Butler was among the state legislators who voted against seceding from the Union.<ref name=bio2/><ref>Temple, Oliver Perry. [https://books.google.com/books?id=g8xYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA352#v=onepage&q=butler&f=false East Tennessee and the Civil War], p. 223. ''Google Books''. Retrieved November 6, 2021.</ref> After the measure passed, he was among several state representatives, along with future House colleague Horace Maynard, to oppose resistance methods deemed revolutionary or extreme.<ref>''East Tennessee and the Civil War'', p. 352.</ref>

State law required legislators to take an oath swearing allegiance to the [[Confederacy]], and refusal would often result in being sent to prison in [[Alabama]].<ref name=johnsoncitypress/> Butler took the oath on the grounds that he could then work to aid the Union cause effectively, though was nonetheless criticized for the decision.

State law required legislators to take an oath swearing allegiance to the [[Confederacy]], and refusal would often result in being sent to prison in [[Alabama]].<ref name=johnsoncitypress/> Butler took the oath on the grounds that he could then work to aid the Union cause effectively, though was nonetheless criticized for the decision.