Joseph Butler and McKinley Memorial

Joseph Green Butler and the National McKinley Memorial The following storinformation contains excerpts from Grace Allison’s book ‘Dustin the Cobwebs’ available on this website here.

Joseph G. Butler Jr. at the age of 11 from a daguerrotype taken in Warren, Ohio in 1851. PO1.1090	Joseph Butler Jr. was not only the friend and confidant of William McKinley from their very young years until McKinley’s death, but he was also a valued friend of three other presidents, and he knew the leading politicians, both on the state and national level. Joseph was an important figure in the industrial field of the Mahoning Valley for many years. Joseph G. Butler, Mahoning Valley industrial & civic leader concieved the idea of building a Memorial to McKinley in the town of his birth.The idea was enthusiastically recieved and on December 5, 1910, a charter was obtained by an Act of Congress and signed into law by President Taft the following March. The cornerstone was laid November 20, 1915, and nearly two years later, on October 5, 1917, the memorial building, of Georgia marble, was dedicated. Joseph Butler was born in 1840 and died 1924.	Joseph Green Butler Jr. attended the old white schoolhouse of Niles and one of his classmates was William McKinley. McKinley, Joseph’s lifelong friend, has always been Niles’ most distinguished resident. Without a doubt, most people consider Joseph Butler Jr. the city’s second most distinguished resident. Niles Village school- copied from Butler's “Men & Events.” The little white school house is the only school shown on the map of 1844 and was located on the northeast corner behind the old Presbyterian Church where the McKinley Memorial now stands. The school William McKinley attended until the age of 9 and where he was a pupil of Mary Bolin Kyles and Abbe Sandford. PO1.1169

	After its erection, Joseph Jr. continued to work in the interest of the memorial including the acquisition of busts of famous industrialist of the Mahoning Valley and nation and other prominent people. He created a substantial endowment fund. Butler made a personal endowment of $100,000 and in his unassuming manner carried out a campaign that increased the endowment to $200,000. It was his intent that the principal of this endowment fund remains intact, with the proceeds from interest or dividends be used for maintenance and educational programs for the enlightenment of the public. “Uncle Joe,” (a salutation used by friends and acquaintances to address Joseph Butler, Jr.) also erected the Butler Art Gallery in Youngstown, which he donated to the “people of the Mahoning Valley.” He arranged a trust in the amount of $700,000 for the upkeep and preservation of that exceptional art gallery. PO1.1091

	A Group of Niles Boyhood Friends and dated 1861. This image was reproduced from a Dauguerreo type. Left-right: Edward Brush, William Ward, Jr., Joseph G. Butler, John Pithridge. James Ward Jr., George T. Reis, Irvin Butler, William Berger. Two of this group were living in 1922 after the National McKinley Memorial had been dedicated: George T. Reis and Joseph G. Butler. Photograph with permission: McKinley Memorial Museum.

	A group of past students who attended the “Little White school house” with Joseph Butler. A photo made of the picture in the newspaper of the children of the “Little White school house” where president McKinley attended. Among others. Joseph Butler (in circle) and Maria Heaton are in the front row. Dated August 27, 1909. The Dollar Savings bank is in the background. The McKinley Research Center is now located on this site and the “Old Main Chowder House” was located next to this building. The Old Main was demolished in 1990. Link to the story of “Old Main Chowder House” PO1.772

	Left: Residence of Jacob Shelar was located in the south side of Niles. Shelar was a contemporary and a close personal friend of both William McKinley and Joseph Butler. Shelar was credited with saving the lives of both men in a drowning incident. Right: Cover of the book, "Life of William McKinley and History of the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial." Photograph of Butler's book for Mr. Homer Rose of Niles, signed by Jos. G. Butler.

The following images are from a published booklet from the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Association that was distributed to potential donors requestiong donations and support for the building of the National William McKinley Memorial.











A photo of the original subscription to the McKinley Memorial for the establishment of a library in the building by Henry Clay Frick a prominent industrialist of the times. PO1.766 View of auditorium seating. PO1.767	The building of the Memorial was made possible by the donations of many people. The donations ranged from pennies from the school children to the $50,000.00 from Henry Clay Frick. Mr. Frick's donation was specifically to be used for a library inside the Memorial. The city had already set aside a five-acre park as a location for the Memorial (purchased with city funds), and the Association stipulated that the design would be for a granite twp-story structure with basement, and that the strucure must include a 1,000 seat auditorium (the main feature), a public library, a 'relic room' for the display of assorted effects,, an 'assembly hal for the meetings of the veterans of the Grand Army of the Republic, where state encampments may be held, and for Spanish-American War Veterans, and a room for the meetings of city officials. Right: the bronze bust of Henry Clay Frick as seen in the library section of the McKinley Memorial today.

The Grand Army of the Republic Room was originally on the second floor of the library wing, as it is pictured here. However, due to the expansion of the library, this wing now houses the librarian's office and support services. PO1.768	The "Relic Room" on the second floor of the south or library wing as it appeared before the expansion. This room had been converted to the Children's Room, and now (2001) houses the computers and microfilm. PO1.769	The McKinley Memorial ‘Court of Honor’ and the J. Massey Rhind statue of William McKinley. The goldfish pond has been filled in and is planted with seasonal flowers. PO1.770

	Different views of the ‘Court of Honor’

	The quote “Let us give our flowers to the living rather than scatter blossoms over the ashes,” expressed the feelings of Nilesites when Mayor Charles Crowe of Niles issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, October 23, 1920, as Butler Day. Although Butler was born in Temperance, PA., December 31, 1840, he came to Niles before he was a year old and he spent his youth and early adult life here. After he moved to Youngstown, he always kept in touch with Niles, socially and financially. Butler Day, planned and directed by the Butler Day Committee of the Niles Chamber of Commerce, was a very appropriate tribute to one who accomplished so much for the community. Left: bronze bust of Joseph Green Butler on display at the McKinley Memorial.	October 23, 1920 Butler Day, planned and directed by the Butler Day Committee of the Niles Chamber of Commerce, was a very appropriate tribute to one who accomplished so much for the community. PO1.1092

Col. L.L. Holloway-leading the 1925 Memorial Day Parade. He was 84 years old at the time of the picture. Leonard Holloway Sr. is the young boy with the coat, the other boy is Bill Davis. Leon L. Holloway served as Adjutant to General William Tecumseh Sherman during the last two years of the Civil War. This was during Sherman's famous 'March to the Sea' as he waged war in Georgia against the Conferate troops. L.L. Holloway was also the Master of Ceremonies at the dedication of the National William McKinley Memorial. PO1.1099	The main attraction of Butler Day was a marching parade, which included four divisions. The first division formed on Main Street at Park Avenue, facing south and consisted of representatives of the city police department, a 16-piece band, J.G. Butler, Jr. and speaker Attorney Joseph Smith in an auto; Grand Army of the Republic members in autos, the city officials, Chamber of Commerce officials, the Butler Day Committee, Lady Macabees in uniform; uniformed Knights of Pythias and other organizations in uniforms. The second division formed on Church Street west of North Main, facing east and consisted of a band, Board of Education members, public and parochial school children. The third division formed on Main Street north of Church Street and facing south, while the fourth division formed on Mill Street (now East State Street). Facing east and was made of autos-passenger and commercial. Promptly at 2 p.m., with Colonel L.L. Holloway, Marshall of the parade, in the lead, the marchers began moving from Park Avenue onto Main Street then moved south to Second Street, to Ward, to Third Street and back to Main Street. The marchers then proceeded north on Main to Mill Street, to Church Street, to Robbins, to Beaver, to Ford, to Vienna, to Federal; then they turned onto Heaton and marched to North Main and to Park where the parade disbanded. The mile-long parade was viewed by Uncle Joe from a vantage point on Main Street and 2,000 school children, who marched in the parade, carried banners that saluted Uncle Joe. One of those banners read “Who put the dollars in the Memorial? Uncle Joe Butler!” Following the parade, a ceremony was held within the auditorium of the Memorial. As soon as those attending entered the auditorium, they began waving a “Chautauqua” salute to Butler. At the same time, two American flags, which were draped in front of the speaker’s stand, were suddenly pulled apart, revealing a bust of Uncle Joe much to the surprise of the man of the day. Shortly after that introduction, Mrs. Dorothy Campbell presented Joseph Jr. with a loving cup, a gift from the school children of Niles. The remainder of that special ceremony included selections by the Glee Club, under the direction of D.J. Thomas; a speech by Attorney Joseph Smith; and a speech by Joseph Butler, Jr., followed by a band concert.

	At that time an editorial in the Niles Daily News read, “Because we who live in Niles see the McKinley Memorial every day and are privileged to enjoy it, we often lose sight of its value; and it is well, on occasions like this, to again emphasize its worth in attracting tourism and sightseers to Niles and in creating a more wholesome public and civic spirit.” To view the actual construction of the McKinley Memorial, follow this link: The Construction and Dedication of the McKinley Memorial Below are images of the brass busts that are located around the court of the McKinley Memorial with their inscriptions.

Cornelius Newton Bliss Secretary of the Interior 1897-1899 1833-1911	William Rufus Day Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Secretary of State Chairman of Commission to negotiate treaty at close of Spanish-American War	Marcus Hanna Successful Resourceful Constructive Businessman Protectionist Statesman By application of ability, integrity, and industry he achieved notable success in widely varied social, political and business pursuits. Born New Lisbon, Ohio September 24, 1837
Warren G. Harding Twenty-Ninth President of the United States Elected November 2, 1920 Born Corsica Morrow County Ohio November 2, 1865, Died August 2, 1923	John Hay Lincoln’s private secretary during the Civil War Ambassador to Great Britain Secretary of State	Philander Chase Cox Lawyer Cabinet Officer Senator Statesman Born Brownsville, PA May 6, 1853, Died Washington DC October 12, 1921
Theodore Roosevelt Twenty-sixth President of the United States 1858-1919	Elihu Root Secretary of War Secretary of State Senator Born Clinton NY Feb 15, 1845	William Howard Taft Twenty-seventh President of the United States. Appointed and confirmed The Chief Justice of the United States July 1, 1921 Born at Cincinnati Ohio September 15, 1857
John R. Thomas Prominently identified with the manufacturing interests in Niles, Ohio Born Aberdare Wales Feb 24, 1834 Died Jan 25, 1898 His life was an example of Industry and integrity	David Tod Minister to Brazil War Governor of Ohio Mahoning Valley Pioneer in coal, iron, and transportation. Born Feb 22, 1805, Died Nov 13, 1868	Andrew Carnegie Presented to the National McKinley Birthplace Memorial Association by Andrew Carnegie’s Fellow members of the Carnegie Veteran Association 1917 Born Dunfermline Scotland Nov 25, 1835, Died Lenox, Mass August 11, 1919