First Citizen

In 1919, the doors of Youngstown’s Butler Institute of American Art were opened for the first time. Dubbed “the lighthouse of culture,” both the beautiful marble museum and the artwork inside were the gift of 19th-century industrialist Joseph G. Butler, Jr., in what was the crowning achievement of a long life. Butler earned his successes with hard work, a competitive spirit and business savvy. He earned a fortune in the iron and steel industry crowded by such figures as Andrew Carnegie, Henry Frick and Charles Schwab. Butler also took on politicians, promoted American interests, preserved American history and spearheaded projects to improve his community. To friends and admirers, he was affectionately referred to as “Uncle Joe.”
This biography chronicles Butler’s early life through his career in the iron and steel industry, detailing his contributions to the art world, his philanthropic endeavors and his accomplishments as an author and historian.

Joseph Lambert, Jr., is a health care administrator who previously worked as a research associate for the Ohio Historical Society. He lives in Canfield, Ohio. The late Rick Shale was a retired English professor from Youngstown State University. He co-authored two books of local history and edited numerous others related to the motion picture industry.

Joseph Lambert, Jr. and Rick Shale
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages:244
Bibliographic Info: 29 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2022
pISBN: 978-1-4766-9040-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4829-3
Imprint: McFarland

Preface 1

Introduction 5

One. A Family Tree Full of Ironmasters 9

Two. Going to Work for James Ward 17

Three. Ironman 28

Four. The Onward March 38

Five. Taking Hold at Brier Hill 51

Six. Iron’s Demise and the Promise of Steel 62

Seven. First Steel in Youngstown 74

Eight. The Original McKinley Man 87

Nine. Big Steel 98

Ten. The Western Adventures 107

Eleven. The Gary Dinners 115

Twelve. “The Youngest Old Man We Know” 128

Thirteen. The National McKinley Birthplace Memorial 142

Fourteen. A Journey to France and the Great War 154

Fifteen. Pro Bono Publico 167

Sixteen. Writing the Final Chapters 179

Epilogue 191

Chapter Notes 195

Bibliography 217

Index 225