University of Akron - Tel Buch Yearbook (Akron, OH)

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JOHN R. BUCHTEL

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Ilnhn Eiirhzirhr- murlitvl OHN R. BUCHTEL, after whom Buchtel College was named, is often called its founder, and his birthday anniversary is selected as a date for the celebrating of Founderts Day. He may not be the nominal founder, but he was an essential factor in its founding and early history. QI His first gift of sixty thousand dollars looks small compared with the hundreds of thousands that have been given to educational interests in these recent years, but Mr. Buchtel gave, year after year, until he contributed all he had+nearly half a million. QI After Mr. Buchtel took upon his broad shoulders the task of carrying the financial burden of the college, he never laid it down. He bought and sold and Worked and worried, that means might How to the college. No one can realize the financial burden he carried through the panic of '73 and the following years. After he became manager of the large iron interests in the Hocking Valley, he was away from the home he loved nearly all the time-and it all was a sacrifice of his comfort for the sake of college. ill Mr. Buchtel had energy plus-when any great physical task loomed in sight, whether it was to clear a forest, build a great factory or raise an endowment, Mr. Buchtel was chosen to lead the forces, and he won out. 111 He was a large man, with a big head which he car- ried slightly bent forward, as though he were accustomed to go against resistances. QI His active personality made his presence felt. When he entered a company, it was whispered about that Mr, Buchtel had come ! while a small man was hardly noticed. He was not one with the polish of the schools : he used to say that he graduated from Brush Univer- sity, referring to his early work in clearing timber land. He made one think of rugged strength. Says Emerson, The Greeks thought they explained the character of Ulysses when they said, 'He was born in craggy Ithaca !' He loved young people and called the col- lege students his boys and girls, and, not having children of his own, his home was always filled with students whom he was helping through college. ln that broad breast, he bore a great heart full of tenderness and