Ogden Butler, cashier of the First National Bank of St. Johnsville, is one of the youngest men to hold the position of bank cashier in the state of New York. He was born in this village on the 28th of February, 1896, and is the younger of the two sons of George C. and Ellen L. (Burgin) Butler. His parents are both native New Yorkers, the father born in St. Johnsville and the mother in Delaware county.
Ogden Butler has lived in St. Johnsville practically all of his life. He was educated in the local public schools and is a graduate of the high school, class of 1913. He started out in the business world as a clerk for H. H. Vought & Company, contractors, who built the First National Bank building here, and upon the completion of this work he accepted a position with the bank organization as bookkeeper. From this post he was promoted to the teller's cage, made assistant cashier in 1920, and eventually, in 1923, was elected to the office of cashier. Meanwhile, in August, 1922, Mr. Butler went to Utica to become associated with the Utica City National Bank and remained there a year before returning to this village to assume his present duties.
Shortly after the United States entered the World war Mr. Butler went to Buffalo, where he enlisted in the army in June, 1917, and was stationed there for two months before he was sent to Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he remained from September, 1917, until the following May. He went overseas with the One Hundred and Sixth Field Artillery, Twenty-seventh Division, and while on duty over there was commissioned second lieutenant in October, 1918. In March, 1919, he was ordered home and received his honorable discharge at Camp Meade, Maryland. Shortly following his return to civilian life he took up his former duties as teller in the St. Johnsville bank. Mr. Butler's army experiences have made him much interested in the cause of the veteran and he is doing his bit toward rehabilitating the ex-service men through the St. Johnsville post of the American Legion. His fraternal associations are with St. Johnsville Lodge, No. 611, A. F. & A. M., and Utica Lodge, No. 33, B. P. O. E. In politics Mr. Butler is a republican and he is a member of the St. Johnsville Reformed church, while his connection with the Exchange Club indicates an active interest in civic affairs. In connection with his banking interests he belongs to the Utica Chapter of the American Institute of Banking. Mr. Butler is a very alert, progressive young man, with the ability and character to make good, as the saying goes, in any position he chooses to accept. His advancement already is remarkable for one of his years, and he may confidently look forward to a future full of achievement.
In St. Johnsville, on September 21, 1920, Mr. Butler was married to Miss Hazel S. Fox, daughter of Chris Fox, a leading merchant of the village, who is mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. She comes from one of the old families here and is socially prominent, being a member of the Century Club and identified with other such activities. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Butler, a daughter, Barbara.