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