Buchanan - William - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

William BUCHANAN, a valued citizen of more than ordinary ability and enterprise and for many years a prominent and very successful agriculturist of Montgomery County, died honored and regretted by all who knew him and left behind him as a precious legacy for his children and their descendants the spotless record of an honest and upright life. Our subject had been a resident of Indiana for many years prior to his death but was a native of Virginia and was born in the Old Dominion, Rockbridge County, 1810. The ancestors of Mr. Buchanan's were hardy Scotch, trained to religious duties in the little Presbyterian Churches scattered abroad throughout Scotland and when they journeyed to America brought with them the habits of frugality and industry, which soon gained them a modest competence and comfortable home in their adopted country. John Buchanan, the father of our subject, was a native of the South and was born, reared and married in Rockbridge County, Va. William remained among the associations of his early youth until he reached a mature age. He received the benefit of a good common school education in his birthplace, and was well fitted for the battle of life, when he came, a young and ambitious man and settled in Montgomery County in the prosperous year 1834 at which time the state bank and its various branches were incorporated. The capital possessed by our subject when he located in his new home consisted of a generous stock of self reliance and energy. So well did he use these attributes of success that in two years of honest exertion he had earned and saved enough money to make a profitable investment in a farm of 80 acres. This land, just east of Crawfordsville he bought in 1836 and in 1842 increased his holdings by the purchase of a farm in Franklin Township. At the time of his death Mr. Buchanan had acquired by wise management a valuable estate consisting of an entire section of fine farming land, excellently located in the township and he also owned a body of land in Iowa. Our subject was married in 1838 or 1839 to Miss Eliza BECK, a daughter of Henry Beck, one of the old pioneers of the county. This estimable lady was widely known and highly respected and became the devoted mother of 11 children, five of whom lived to bless the old homestead with their presence for many years. The sons and daughters who survived to reach adult age were John who bravely served the nation in the Civil War and after its close became a great traveler, journeying about 22 years and meantime visiting every attainable portion of the world; W. A. a successful farmer, located near Darlington; James F, who resides on the old homestead; Alice the wife of JW Lafollette; and Annie E who married W.B. Mount of Darlington. W. A. Buchanan, the second surviving son of our subject has been long numbered among the representative agriculturists of the county. This well known citizen born in 1844 has been a constant resident of Montgomery county, his financial and social interests mainly centering in his native place. Our subject is the owner of 320 acres of highly improved land near Darlington and has won an enviable record as an intelligent and enterprising farmer. In 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth SHUMAKER by whom he has had 3 children; Charles A who is deceased; Minnie the wife of William Vannice; and one who died in infancy. Elizabeth Buchanan did not survive her marriage many years, and some time after his early bereavement Mr. Buchanan married Miss Alice McNEELY in 1875. Their children ranging in age from infancy to dawning manhood are: Wallace; Alpha; Bessie; John C; June; Jennie and last, but not least in the affections of the family, comes the youngest at this date yet in early infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan are liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church and are among its prominent and efficient members. Our subject is fraternally associated with the Masons and as a member of the honored body has always been above reproach. Mr. Buchanan is a Democrat, and advocates the principles of the party, but he is liberal in sentiment and calm in judgment and always casts his vote in national and local elections for the man he firmly believes will best serve the country in the duties of the public position to which he may be called.  -- typed by kbz