John R. Buchtel
Encyclopedia
John R. Buchtel was an American businessman and philanthropist, most famous for being the founding figure of Buchtel College, the predecessor of the University of Akron
. Buchtel High School
, a public high school in Akron, Ohio
, is also named in his honor.
. He began his business interests in agriculture, owning a large amount of farmland in Stark County and in the state of Indiana
. After working as an employee of Ball, Aultman, and Company, he led the development of a new manufacturing plant of the company in Akron, which became known as the Buckeye Mower and Reaper Company. The firm soon became independent, and Buchtel served as Buckeye Mower's first president. Expanding his interests, he became the general manager of the Akron Iron Company. Later, the Akron Iron Company merged with several other firms, creating the Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company, with Buchtel serving as one of the vice-presidents. He was also an early investor in the rubber company of Dr. Benjamin F. Goodrich
. Suffering a stroke in 1887, he was left crippled and unable to continue his work. He died on May 23, 1892.
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
. Buchtel High School
Buchtel High School
John R. Buchtel High School is a public high school in Akron, Ohio. It is one of seven high schools in the Akron Public Schools district. It is commonly known as Buchtel High School.-History:...
, a public high school in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, is also named in his honor.
Biography
Buchtel was born on January 18, 1820, in Stark County, OhioStark County, Ohio
Stark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2010 census, the population was 375,586. It is included in the Canton-Massillon, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area....
. He began his business interests in agriculture, owning a large amount of farmland in Stark County and in the state of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. After working as an employee of Ball, Aultman, and Company, he led the development of a new manufacturing plant of the company in Akron, which became known as the Buckeye Mower and Reaper Company. The firm soon became independent, and Buchtel served as Buckeye Mower's first president. Expanding his interests, he became the general manager of the Akron Iron Company. Later, the Akron Iron Company merged with several other firms, creating the Columbus and Hocking Coal and Iron Company, with Buchtel serving as one of the vice-presidents. He was also an early investor in the rubber company of Dr. Benjamin F. Goodrich
Benjamin Goodrich
Benjamin Franklin Goodrich was an American industrialist in the rubber industry.Dr. Goodrich was born to Anson and Susan Goodrich in Ripley, New York. He was educated as a physician; he received his M.D. from Western Reserve College in Cleveland, Ohio. B...
. Suffering a stroke in 1887, he was left crippled and unable to continue his work. He died on May 23, 1892.