This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lVG.2ACEB/16 Message Board Post: Akron Daily Democrat, Akron, Summit, Ohio Dated Tuesday evening, 24 May 1892 OUR HONORED DEAD BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE LATE HON. JOHN R. BUCHTEL Everything He Had Goes to the College - Funeral Will be Thursday Afternoon Yesterday afternoon at 1:50 Hon. John R. Buchtel, the beloved founder of Buchtel college, surrounded by those who loved him, passed quietly away at the age of 72 years 4 months and 5 days, at his residence, corner of East Market and Union sts. The news of his death is a shock to all. Five years ago the strong man was stricken with paralysis and made helpless, ever since which time he has been an invalid. John R. Buchtel, son of John and Catharine Richards Buchtel, was one of a family of four children, and was born January 18, 1820, in Green township, Summit county. His father, John Buchtel, and brother, William Buchtel, survive him. His grandfather, Peter Buchtel, was a native of Pennsylvania, moved to Ohio in 1809, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in the army. Mr. Buchtel worked as a farm laborer in his youth, and had little chance of education; but this depriviation enabled him in after year to appreciate its advantages. When about 22 years of age Mr. Buchtel began to work land on shares, continuing for several years, until he became able to buy a farm of his own in Coventry township, which he improved and intended to make his permanent home, but his business sagacity soon discovered openings in other directions. On Jan. 8, 1844, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Davidson, who died May 29, 1891. It is almost impossible to separate the work of Mr. and Mrs. Buchtel, for in everything they were one. It is they who founded Buchtel college, and it was they who have ever stood by it, and childless, ever cared for it as their own child, not only by giving abundantly of their means but consecrating their lives to its support. Mr. Buchtel is largely identified with the business and prosperity of Akron. For several years he was agent for the Canton Buckeye reaper and mower works and in 1864 was instrumental in securing the Aultman, Miller & Co. branch for Akron, he himself taking one-sixth interest in the concern. In 1865 the business was organized as a stock company and Mr. Buchtel elected president. The Akron iron company and knife works, the paper mill and rubber works all owe much to Mr. Buchtel for their location in Akron. After his retirement from the Buckeye works, Mr. Buchtel was one of the Syndicate engaged in developing the resources of the coal and iron beds of the Hocking Valley. He was vice-president and superintendent of the works. The mining town of Buchtel is named for him. There is no doubt but that his ardous labors duing the protracted strike of the miners in that region, did much toward breaking down his once robust health. He has amassed a large fortune and has always contributed largely to every public enterprise. In politics he was for many years a Republican and was one of the Grant second term electors. In 1874 he was the Prohibition candidate for secretary of state, and was appointed trustee of the State agricultural college by Gov. Hayes. In 1869 Mr. Buchtel became interested in the project to locate a college in Akron. We have only to look back 20 years for the beginning of the history of Buchtel college. The movement originated in the Universalist church of Ohio. The original idea was first to erect a seminary then an academy, and finally a college. Akron was selected as the location of the proposed institution on condition that the city furnish a suitable site and pledge$60,000 toward the new building. To this proposal Akron promptly responded, and Mr. Buchtel led off with a subscription of $25,000 to the endowment fund and $6,000 to the building fund. The enterprise developed rapidly, and in honor of its principal donor was named Buchtel college. The site selected for the college is one of the most commanding in the city, fronting Buchtel av. on the north and extending back to Carroll st. on the south. The ground was first broken in March, 1870, and on July 4 of the same year the corner stone was formally laid by the officers of the Grand lodge of Masons of Ohio, Horace Greeley delivering the address. In September, 1872, the college was first opened to students with a faculty of nine, one of whom, Dr. Carl F. Kolbe, still remains. The college during its 20 years existence has had three presidents, Rev. S. H. McCollister, Dr. E. L. Rexford and Dr. O. Cone. The faculty has been increased from nine to twenty. The college has graduated 162 students, one-half of whom are residents of Ohio. Two of these are members of the faculty and four are members of the board of trustees. The catalogue for 1890-91 embraces 273 students exclusive of art and music. Seven professorships are endowed, one at $35,385, two at #30,000, and two at $25,000 and 51 scholarships of $1,000 each have been established. The college offers instruction in three courses of study of four years each: a classical, philosophical, or scientific course. A three years' preparatory school has also been established in connection with the college. Instruction is also given in art and music and a good library embracing a subscription of 98 periodicals is free to the use of the students. A thoroughly equipped gymnasium was erected in 1888 at a cost of $25,000. One donation of $10,000 has already been received toward the erection of the proposed new science building, and $10,000 has also been contributed toward the endowment of the theological department. The college is on a good financial basis as shown by the secretary's report for 1891: Total resources, $810,700.11; total liabilities, $217,018.32; net resources, $593,681.79. The various bequests of Mr. and Mrs. Buchtel have amounted to a half million dollars. The chair of English literature was endowed in 1874 at a cost of $20,000. In 1879, he gave in different ways $50,112; in 1880 $24,716; in 1881 property amounting to $64,000; in 1883 $102,000; and on commencement day his last gift of $100,00 in mortgages and Columbus & Hocking Valley iron and coal stocks, and his life insurance policies valued at $74,000. His residence on East Market st., all his household goods, carriages and horses, all that he possessed is deeded to the college. In the death of Mr. Buchtel our college loses a beloved benefactor and our city, a valuable citizen. The flag was at half mast over the college and over the office of the Buckeye works yesterday afternoon. Recitations are suspended at the college until after the last sad rites are performed. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the house and at 2:30 at the Universalist church by Dr. O. Cone, president of Buchtel college, assisted by Rev. J. F. Thompson of the Universalist church and J. S. Cantwell of Chicago. Hon. J. Park Alexander will say a few words in behalf of the citizens of Akron. The singing will be in charge of Mr. A. W. Cogswell and Mesdames Perkins and Haynes. The college faculty and students will attend the funeral services in a body.