History of Summit County Ohio United States of America

History of Summit County Ohio

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Biographical Sketch of John Richards Buchtel

John Richards Buchtel, philanthropist, was born in Summit county, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1822. His first American paternal ancestor immigrated to the United States from Germany in the eighteenth century. The boy's education was limited, and his youth was passed on a farm. In 1854 he entered the employ of Ball, Aultman & C o., manufacturers of mowers and reapers at Akron, Ohio. The firm failed in 1856, making him their assignee and he placed their affairs on a secure foundation. In 1864 he formed a connection with the Buckeye mowing machine company, the business being organized into a stock company in 1865, and he was elected its president. He was also president of the bank of Akron and manager of the Akron iron company, and in all his interests sustained the most pleasant relations with his employees, their comfort being his first consideration and thus built up the town of Buchtel. One hundred and fifty car loads of coal and an average of forty-five tons of iron was produced each day. He was a trustee of the Ohio State Agricultural college, and a member of the executive committee during the erection of its buildings. He contributed to the building fund of every church in Akron; gave his library to Buchtel college and gifts to the amount of $500,000. He died May 23, 1893.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Summit County Ohio

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