THEN THE DENTIST OF ST. PAUL

In May of 1951, Brother Albert Morrello Butler was elected as the fraternity’s 10th District Representative, he would be the tenth man to serve in that role since Brother Frances M. Dent was appointed by Grand Basileus Lawrence A. Oxley in 1932 as the district’s very first representative.

Albert “Doc” Butler as he was often referred to was regarded as the “Dentist of Saint Paul”, between 1926 until his death in 1975 he served as the dentist for St Paul Minnesota’s largely African American community. Simultaneously while practicing dentistry, he worked as a janitor for the state of Minnesota, a position he held for 50 years.

“Doc” Butler was born on October 30th, 1900, in a small town nestled in the northwest corner of Wisconsin named Superior. He was the youngest of eight children born to Mulatto parents James and Louisa Butler. James Butler was a caterer and his wife Louisa stayed at home to raise their large family. His eldest sibling Helen Butler was a saleswoman for a local department store and his oldest brother Benjamin was a bartender for the town’s railroad. In March of 1913 tragedy visited the Butler family as James Butler passed away. Albert Butler was 13 years old when he lost his father.

Young Albert Butler was a standout athlete in high school, he ran the 100-yard dash in 9.9 seconds and played alongside College and NFL Hall of Famer Ernie Nevers. Had it not been for an injury he received after being kicked near his eye in a 1920 game, he might’ve had the opportunity to play college football. On May 8th, 1921, as a college freshman A.M. Butler and eight of his classmates became the chartering members of XI chapter at the University of Minnesota, the fourteenth chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. It would be 41 years before another chapter was established in the State of Minnesota (Epsilon Rho - March 9, 1962).

While completing his studies in Dentistry in the mid 1920’s Brother Butler inquired about employment with the state of Minnesota. He was told the only position available to him would be as a janitor and thus began his employment with the State of Minnesota’s Highway Department, where he would clean offices. Brother Butler completed his degree and passed the state licensing exams in dentistry on July 7th, 1926, he immediately began practicing dentistry in St Paul. The Great Depression coupled with issues with his depth perception due to the earlier injury he received meant that he would have to maintain his position as a janitor to sustain himself and his family financially.

Years after graduating from the university and well into his adult life Brother Butler remained close to his undergraduate chapter, often serving as an officer. Many meetings of XI chapter took take place in the home of Brother Butler including the “victory reorganization meeting” held in November of 1945, where Brother Butler was elected to complete the calendar year as the chapter Basileus. By the mid 1940’s the state of Minnesota and its solitary chapter had been moved from the fraternity’s 8th district to the 10th district of which Dr. Butler had become a well-respected member throughout its five states.

In May of 1951 members of the 10th District elected Brother Albert M. Butler to succeed Gilbert Stephens Marchman as its representative. Marchman was a skillful and highly sought after public accountant who served as an auditor for many organizations including the national NPHC office and the Shriners. Brother Butler was re-elected for two additional terms through 1954, and there have been no 10th District Representatives from the state of Minnesota since this time.

In May of 1971 Dr. Albert M. Butler received a plaque from the Governor of Minnesota, he had been given a prestigious award for completing 50 years of service to the state, at this time he was only the third person to receive this honor. He was quoted as saying “I am receiving today the recognition that is basic to every man’s nature”, He retired just a few days after the ceremony but continued to practice dentistry until his death on May 13th, 1975.

Dr. Albert Morello Butler by all accounts was the second African American to practice dentistry in the state of Minnesota. Leander Raymond Hill, a graduate of Meharry Medical College and member of Omega Psi Phi is believed to be the first. Albert “Doc” Butler was a devoted family man, he lived a life indicative of our cardinal principles, he was a true leader of men. He was the Dentist of Saint Paul, the Janitor, and the District Representative.