Buck, Thomas

BUCK, GRIMES, CORBIT, SHAW, FERRIS

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 8/7/2020 at 14:58:16

Thomas Buck, Postmaster at Brighton, Iowa, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, on the 2d of November, 1821, and is the son of Charles J. and Maria (Grimes) Buck, who moved to Gallia County at an early day. They were the parents of nine children who lived to be adults five of whom are now living: Mary V. is the wife of Daniel Whitsette, of Mahaska County, Iowa; Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, wife of Jesse Stoner, of Dallas County, Iowa; William, who served three years in the 36th Iowa Infantry, now resides in Appanoose County, Iowa; James, also residing in Appanoose County, Iowa. The father died in Jackson County, Ohio, in 1852, while the mother is yet living at the age of eighty-four, making her home with her children.

The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm, and was educated in the old log school-house, often in the winter time wading in the snow up to his knees, a distance of two and a half miles in order to reach the school-house. In the spring of 1844 he married Miss Margaret Corbit, a daughter of Alexander Corbit of Jackson County, Ohio. Soon after his marriage he moved to Knox County, Ill., where he spent two years, and in 1846 came to Iowa and located in Henry County. During this year Iowa was admitted into the Union. Mrs. Buck died in 1852, leaving three children, two of whom now are living. Harvey, when but seventeen years old, enlisted in the 4th Cavalry, served two years, and then veteranized and enlisted for three years. Lafayette enlisted in a Missouri regiment and served his country faithfully.

On the 20th of November, 1852, Mr. Buck was again married, choosing as a companion Miss Melinda Shaw, a native of Tennessee. Her father, Milo C. Shaw, was born in Kentucky, in 1804, and her mother Elizabeth A. (Ferris) Shaw, was born in Nashville, Tenn., in 1811. They were married in Nashville, and were the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living: Martha F., Mary, Melinda; John B., Ariel S. and Thomas R. In 1834 Mr. Shaw moved to Decatur, Macon Co., Ill., and in 1844 to Henry County, Iowa, where he spent most of his life. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, of which body his wife was also a member. Mrs. Shaw died in Mr. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1862, and Mr. Shaw in Macon County, Ill., in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Buck have four living children: Arthur V., a teacher of music and composition; C. M., yardmaster in Oskaloosa, Iowa; Frank P., a telegraph operator in Oskaloosa, Charles H., a yardmaster in Lincoln, Neb.

On the 20th day of July, 1861, Mr. Buck enlisted in the 1st Iowa Cavalry, and was mustered into service at Burlington. He participated in the various engagements of the regiment, and was in Missouri after bushwhackers, and also in the raid after Price and Marmaduke. Mr. Buck was wounded while in Missouri on the Little Rock expedition. After faithfully serving for three years and fifty-two days, he was mustered out at Davenport on the 12 day of September, 1864. Returning to his home in Mt. Pleasant he subsequently moved to Fairfield, and in 1878 to Brighton Township. He was appointed Postmaster at Brighton, and took possession of the office on Oct. 1, 1885. Mr. Buck is a Master Mason, and highly respected by all who knew him.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Thomas Buck, pages 602-603.