A member of the Republican Party from Chester County, Butler previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1877 to 1880.
In 1849, he returned home to Upper Uwchlan, married, and settled down on the family farm, where he remained for the rest of his life save for his service in Harrisburg.
Nominated by acclamation at the Republican state convention,[6] Butler won his statewide election in November 1879, defeating Democratic nominee Daniel O. Barr by a margin of 58,600 votes.
[10] Thomas S. Butler went on to serve as a judge and then as a member of the United States House of Representatives for thirty years.
Thomas's son (Samuel's grandson) was United States Marine Corps Major General and two-time Medal of Honor recipient Smedley Butler.