THE IOWA HOMESTEAD
Des Moines, Polk Co. Iowa
Wednesday, May 25, 1864
Page 140.
Hon. T. L. Buckham
He was born in Hopkins county in the State of Kentucky. His
father was a native of Scotland. His mother was raised, and
educated in Maryland. When at the age of 14 years, his father
lost all his property by being surety for another man. This
change in his father's circumstances, deprived him of the means
of obtaining a liberal education. He worked on the farm for his
father, until he was twenty one years of age. He then went to
school one term of six months. He had a great a desire for an
education, and applied himself closely, and diligently to his
studies, and worked for means to pay for his tuition. His
health became poor from close application to study. The Doctors
advised him to leave school. This was one of the hardest trials
of his life for he desired an education above everything else.
After leaving school he worked at the carpenter's trade, which he
learned in a very short time so that he could get good wages. In
1836 with two brothers he rented a farm, and went into the stock
business, and at the expiration of four years they had stock and
produce enough to load two large flat boats. They took their
products to New Orleans, where they found the market dull, and
sales difficult. They remained all winter at New Orleans, and had
to feed their stock from the 1st of October to the 1st of April.
They sold their stock and produce at the best figure they could
get, paid off their expenses and had just five dollars to be
divided into three shares which was their profit for four years
hard toiling. They dissolved partnership by mutual consent and
each one went his own way. He was a strong believer in Phrenology
from his first knowledge of it, and in the Summer of 1842 he came
West, and located in Fremont County where he now resides.The
country was then new, but few white persons in the county at that
time, but Indians were plenty. In 1843 he was married to
Miss Jane Hillis. He has lived twenty two years where he now
resides, and during that time his present home has been in two
States, and four different counties. Mr. Buckham belonged to the
Old Whig party as long as that party existed, and never could
agree with the Democrats. But since the commencement of this
rebellion he has been willing to go with any party that is for
the Union, and crushing out this rebellion. He is for the
Union now, and ever above all other earthly considerations. He is
a strong Union man, and in favor of the principles of freedom and
humanity. Mr. Buckham was one of the noblest honest, worthy
members that represented the Missouri slope in the 10th General
Assembly. That slope is destined to be an important part of our
great growing State, and her noble men are fast giving her
notoriety and character. Mr. Buckham was a very good and
acceptable member. He was deeply in earnest on the subject of
Legislation; gave it his serious attention, and was well informed
on all subjects before the House. He attended strictly to his own
business--spoke on all subjects that he thought demanded his
opinion--always spoke to the point, and was heard attentively.
His worth and ability has not been fully known, nor appreciated.
He will bear sending back the second and third time and render
more efficient service each time. The better he is known the
higher the value placed upon him. I love the company of
such men as I have introduced and the company of the readers of
the Homestead; would love to meet you at your
homes, and have a chat with you. I was raised on a farm and love
farm life. Please take the will for the deed, and I will be on
hand next week, and some noble friends with me. Look out for us.
--Yours Truly, HOOSIER.
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N.B.: If Buckham believed he had lived in three different
counties without ever having changed his place of residence, he
obviously was referring to Holt county, Missouri, from 1842 to
1845; to Atchison county, Missouri from 1845 to 1849; and to
Fremont county, Iowa, from 1849 to 1864.....The effect that the
Platte Purchase had on the earliest history of Fremont county is
a subject that has been recognized VERY slowly.--W.F.