Buckley, Martin C., 1861-1929

BUCKLEY, MCGUIRE, DOWNEY, MULDOWNEY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

From the Rock Valley Bee, October 25, 1929:

Martin C. Buckley Is Called By Death

Martin C. Buckley passed away at his home east of Rock Valley Sunday afternoon, his death being due to stomach trouble. Although he had not been well for a number of years, he was not taken seriously ill until about two weeks before his death.

Mr. Buckley was a pioneer resident of this vicinity. He was born at Highland, Wisconsin, August 23, 1861, and had attained the age of sixty-eight years, one month and twenty-seven days. At the age of ten years he came with his parents to Sioux County. They made the trip overland with a team of oxen. At that time Le Mars was the nearest town and market place.

The family settled on a homestead east of Rock Valley, where Mr. Buckley continued to live for fifty-eight years, or until the time of his death. He was a successful farmer, and a man who was well thought of by all who knew him.

Mr. Buckley was united in marriage with Miss Annie McGuire, November 22, 1899, who survives him. He also leaves seven children and two grandchildren. The children are: Esther, Martin, Robert, Mary and Edward at home and Leo and Mrs. A. Schoep, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, all of whom were with their father during the last few days of his illness.

Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Church in Rock Valley Wednesday morning. The services were largely attended by sympathizing friends. The remains were taken to St. Mary’s Cemetery.

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From the Sioux County Index (Hull), November 1, 1929:

One of Sioux County’s Pioneers Buried at Rock Valley, Last Week
Martin Buckley Passed Away at His Home Sunday, October 20, 67 Years of Age

Martin C. Buckley passed away at his home four miles west of Hull Sunday afternoon, October 20th. He had not been very well for many years but was able to be around and at work until a short time ago. In 1899 he married Anna McGuire, who is left with three daughters and three sons to mourn his departure.

No doubt a record for living on one farm in this locality had been made by M. C. Buckley, for he had lived on the same farm 60 years. It is four miles west of Hull, on a homestead taken by his father. Mr. Buckley was the last member of two families who came here together in June, 1870.

In a prairie schooner drawn by oxen, the Buckleys and McGuires came with their families and possessions and settled on claims on which they had previously filed, each family taking an 80-acre homestead and an 80-acre tree claim. Mrs. Buckley, who was Anna McGuire, was born in the sod house on her father’s claim. Mr. Buckley then was a lad of eight years, yet he could tell vividly their experiences of pioneer days.

That was several years before the town of Hull was started, the nearest town being LeMars, 30 miles southeast, which then consisted of less than half a dozen business places. The Buckleys built a frame house, the only one for miles around, the few settlers living in sod houses. There was but one house—a sod one—between their homestead and Le Mars. It was called a halfway house, as travelers could stop for lunch or overnight if necessary. Mr. Buckley’s father walked to LeMars and back in one day many times.

Prairie fires were very common, many settlers being burned out. A 20-foot fire break was necessary and even then, when a fire came, the settlers would widen the fire break by burning next to it.

For seven years grasshoppers came and destroyed crops. They came in such numbers as to cloud the sun, flying very low and frightening chickens and animals, who ran for shelter. Any garment and even shoes left outside would be eaten. Mr. Buckley’s father had a patch of tobacco one year which he desired to save, so he took a bed comforter to cover it. They ate the cover and all the plants.

Conditions were so bad at times that only those who had some means or distant relatives to help them could stay. Many lost everything and left never to return. Others sold their claims for paltry sums or traded for some conveyance to take them back to their former homes. Some were too poor to get away and were forced to stay, although at times they had very little to eat. A number, who still had faith in this country, later returned.

Provisions were hard to get. Many a meal consisted of a cooked grain and milk. They had no chickens at first, but had a few cows. Wood for fuel could be gotten on the Rock river. Some used to twist hay. Hay and weeds grew six and eight feet high. The winters were severe, especially those when blizzards took so much stock and even some persons lost their lives.

Mr. Buckley was born in Wisconsin. After the death of his parents, he became owner of the homestead by buying out the other heirs.

Funeral services were held in the Catholic church Wednesday morning, October 23rd, Rev. J. A. O’Reilly officiating, burial being made in the Rock Valley cemetery. The bereaved family have the sympathy of their many Hull friends.

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His death certificate shows him born August 23, 1861 in Highland, Wisconsin; parents Philip Buckley and Mary Downey, both born in Ireland; a farmer for 60 years, last worked at this occupation Oct. 7, 1929; died at 4:30 p.m. October 20, 1929, of gastric hemorrhage, duration 2 days; contributory cause, gastric ulcer, duration 2 years.

FiindaGrave.com gives his parents as Philip Buckley (1818-1898) and Mary Muldowney Buckley (1830-1905); siblings Thomas A. Buckley (1860-1945) and Anna L. McCann (1865-1951); half sibling Annastasia Buckley Quinn (1855-1929); wife Anna M. McGuire Buckley (1876-1950); children Esther M. Buckley (1900-1976), Leo Q. Buckley (1903-1978), Martin C. Buckley (1903-1991), Ann Schoep (1905-1990), Robert T. Buckley (1906-1976), and Edward J. Buckley (1912-2000).