WILLIAM H. BUCK
William
H. Buck is one of the foremost representatives of agricultural
interests in Richman township, Wayne county, where he owns an
excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres under high
cultivation. Since
1877, in which year he settled in this section, he has
successfully followed agricultural pursuits but before that
time largely followed his trade, which was that of carpenter
and builder, and did important work along this line in the
various parts of the country where he resided. Moreover, he
deserves special mention as one of those who defended the flag
at the time of the Civil war.
Mr.
Buck was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, January 21, 1843, and
is a son of George and Eva (Bunn) Buck, both natives of
Germany who passed away in Hagerstown, Maryland, the father in
the year 1878 and the mother in 1870. Their family
included the following children: George, residing at Springfield,
Illinois; William H., of this review; Elizabeth, who died in
childhood; John, of Springfield, Illinois; Mrs. Sophia Fetzer,
who died in that state; and Fred, making his home in
Springfield, Illinois. All
of these children were born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and
George, the eldest son, served in defense of his country as
member of a Pennsylvania battery during the Civil war.
William
H. Buck remained under the parental roof, spending his boyhood
in his native city and attending the common schools. On August 8, 1862,
he enlisted for service in Company A, Seventh Maryland
Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war when
he was honorably discharged.
He served under Colonel Webster until the latter was
elected to congress and later under Colonel Phelps,
participating in a number of engagements and distinguishing
himself by his courageous conduct. At the close of hostilities he returned
to Maryland and there followed the trade of carpenter for one
year. Being
attracted by the opportunities the western country offered he
removed in 1866 to Springfield, Illinois, there following his
trade, and a number of the more pretentious structures of that
day were partial products of his skill. He engaged as
carpenter and builder until his marriage, when he turned his
attention to farming, following that occupation in Illinois
for three years, at the end of which time he removed to Ulster
county, New York, specializing in fruit farming there. The year 1877 marks
his advent in Richman township, Wayne county, Iowa, where he
has since resided. For
the first few years he farmed rented land but by thrift and
energy and through progressive methods he was enabled
subsequently to buy eighty acres within the township and by
perseverance and economy has gradually added one hundred and
sixty acres to his original tract until his present farm
consists of two hundred and forty acres of fertile land. All of this is
under high cultivation, well equipped with such machinery as
is necessary to the modern farmer and all highly improved. His sheds and
outbuildings and such barns as are needed for his stock are of
the most improved type and his residence is comfortable and
modern. Besides
mixed farming he is largely interested in stock-raising,
specializing along high-class grades.
On
the 12th of December, 1868, Mr. Buck was married to
Miss Harriet A. Hasbrouck, a native of Highland, New York,
born January 12, 1853. In
1859 she removed with her parents to Illinois, settling in
Sangamon county, where the father followed farming, being
among the early settlers of this section. She belongs to an
old American family which traces its ancestry directly back to
the Mayflower pilgrims and Mrs. Buck is proud of the
possession of an old Ulcer county (New York) history wherein
her ancestry is authentically recorded. The Hasbrouck
family for many generations has been one of the prominent ones
of that portion of New York state. Her father was Levi J. Hasbrouck, who
was born in Ulster county, New York, September 30, 1830, and
died at Highland, New York, February 28, 1903, while her
mother was Phoebe Jane (Deyo) Hasbrouck, also a native of
Ulster county, born February 15, 1829. She died in
Highland, New York, June 11, 1902. While they were residents of Illinois
they followed general farming but in New York state
specialized along horticulture.
In their family were eight children: Mrs. Buck; Angelo,
born January 16, 1859, residing in New York; Laura, born June
22, 1860, who passed away in Illinois, February 28, 1861;
Jacob J., born April 15, 1862, a resident of Humeston, Iowa;
Jennie, born August 1, 1864, who died in infancy; Everetta,
born April 10, 1866, who passed away August 18, 1866; Lincoln,
who was born February 22, 1868, and died September 27, of the
same year; and Mrs. Carrie M. Feeter, a resident of Highland,
Ulster county, New York, who was born May 11, 1869. The two eldest
members of this family were born in New York state but the
younger members were natives of Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Buck have been born five children: Lizzie, born in Illinois, September 16,
1869, married Frank Williams by whom she has the following
children: Fannie,
born November 26, 1892; Fay William, January 14, 1895; Fern,
December 18, 1898; Lloyd Levi, born in June, 1900; Henry
Angelo, April 12, 1902; Evelyn May, May 29, 1909; and William,
May 21, 1910. Mr.
and Mrs. Williams reside in Richman township. Eva May Buck, who
was born in Illinois, May 18, 1871, passed away in Richman
township at the age of about ten years, her death occurring
May 3, 1881. Mrs.
Hattie H. Taylor, who was born January 14, 1873, resides in
Richman township and is the mother of three children, namely: Jessie Lauretta,
born April 26, 1895; Theodore R., born February 25, 1897; and
Harriet, July 8, 1904. Mrs.
Jennie L. McRae, who is the next in order of birth, was born
in Highland, New York, May 23, 1875, and resides in Humeston,
Iowa. Her
children are: Cecil,
born April 5, 1900; Bernita, October 26, 1901; Hattie, May 15,
1904; and Lois, April 1, 1905.
William Angelo, the fifth child, was born November 5,
1880, and at the time of the Spanish-American war enlisted in
Company C, Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, becoming a
member of the camp at Chickamaugua and at Chattanooga. Finally the
regiment was sent to Cuba for duty but had only been one night
on the ocean when the war was abruptly terminated. Mr. Buck was
mustered out in November of that year, when he returned to
private life. He
takes care of the large home farm of his father in Richman
township. All of
the children received excellent educations in the acquirement
of which they attended public school in the community and the
Humeston College. All
of the grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Buck, fourteen
in number, were born in Richman township, Wayne county.
Mr. Buck is a republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln while in the service of his country. He has always remained true to the principles of his party in war and peace. For three terms he has served as township trustee and since removing to Humeston has served for one term in the city council. His public service has always been distinguished for ready understanding of the issues at hand and has been performed with such faithfulness that it deserves commendation. The family are members of the Congregational church of Humeston and Mr. Buck belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 228, A. F. & A. M., of Humeston, of which his son Angelo is at the present time worshipful master. Both Mr. and Mrs. Buck are members of Radiant Chapter, No. 30, O. E. S., of Humeston, and the latter has served for several terms as worthy matron of that body. Both are charter members of the Eastern Star and Mr. Buck also belongs to the Wayne County Post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Humeston, where he meets his comrades of yore who took up arms in defense of the flag. Mr. Buck owns a modern, well furnished home in Humeston where he and his wife enjoy the fruits of their labors, highly respected and esteemed throughout Richman township. Both are studious of mind and fond of reading, possessing an excellent library of choice works. While the wealth of the country is generally estimated in dollars and cents its real riches lie in its having such honorable people as Mr. and Mrs. Buck have proven themselves to be and in the rich heritage which they hand down by their example to the coming generations. Mr. Buck has not only been an interested witness of the changes that have occurred here but has been a helpful factor in the general advancement and while he has attained well deserved prosperity has been a constructive force in the development of this section.