BUCK, Samuel
Samuel BUCK, who resides upon section 19,
Richland township, while not classed specially among the
pioneers, has yet spent in Marshall county nearly forty years of
active business life, and is well and favorably known, not alone
in his own county, but in the adjoining counties as well. He is
a native of Montgomery
county, Indiana, born September 25, 1831, and is a son of Andrew
and Hannah (BUTT) BUCK, the former a native of
Pennsylvania, born May 14, 1797, and the latter of
Maryland. They settled in Montgomery
county, Indiana, near Crawfordsville at a very early day, and
there spent the remainder of their lives, the mother dying April
3, 1843, when Samuel was in his youth, the father August 10,
1869. They were the parents of ten children, six sons and four
daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, but three daughters and
our subject are the only ones now living. One son, Daniel, was a
soldier in the Mexican war, and another, Jacob, who was a
soldier in the civil war, died in the service.
The subject of this sketch grew to manhood
on his father’s farm in
Indiana, and was educated in the
district schools. He there learned the making of brick, and
became an expert in that industry. It was for the purpose of
engaging in this industry that he came to
Marshall county, Illinois, in the spring
of 1857. Purchasing a small tract of land on section 19, Richland township, which was then covered with
timber and brush, he at once set about the improvement of the
place, clearing and developing a farm. He also commenced the
manufacture of brick, in which business he continued in
connection with farming until 1882, a period of twenty-five
years. At that time he made many thousands of superior brick and
sold his products for miles around. For some years he also
operated a steam saw mill, and in carrying on the three lines of
business it may well be conceived that he was a busy man.
Two years after coming to this locality Mr.
BUCK was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. MALONE, a
daughter of Joseph MALONE, now deceased, who located here in
1843, coming from Fountain county,
Indiana, where Mrs. BUCK was born. On
coming to this county she was but a very small child, and here
she grew to lovely womanhood, and in 1859 married our subject.
Three children were born of this union – Andrew, Ella and
William. The daughter is now the wife of Lincoln KUNKLE and
resides in Richland township. The mother died April 30,
1888, after a happy married life of twenty-nine years. She was
an earnest Christian woman, a member of the Christian church for
many years and died in the hope of the resurrection and the
blessed reunion beyond the grave.
On coming to this county
Mr.
BUCK was in limited circumstances, but he came with an object in
view, and with a steadfast determination to succeed in life.
From a small beginning and to his original purchase of one
hundred and sixty acres of land, he added from time to time
until today he is the owner of seven hundred and seventy-five
acres of fine land, all of which is highly improve. Almost all
the improvements made have been by his own hands or under his
supervision. Success has crowned his efforts and he is able to
enjoy the fruits of a life well spent in honest toil and the
honest accumulation of years.
Samuel BUCK has, from the beginning of his
life in Marshall
county, enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his
fellow-citizens. A man of fine qualities and of excellent
judgment, he has frequently been called upon to administer upon
estates and it can be safely assumed that he never betrayed a
trust, and every duty was faithfully discharged.
Fraternally, Mr. BUCK was for some years a
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but at present
does not affiliate with the order, although its principles he
holds in the highest respect. Politically, he is a democrat,
with which party he has always been associated, believing
strongly in the principles of the party, as advocated by its
great leaders, Jefferson, Jackson, Douglas
and others. Of late years, however, he has taken but little
interest in political affairs, leaving such matters to younger
men. During his residence her he has often been called upon to
fill local office, having served as supervisor of the township,
and for many years as school director, having taken great
interest in educational matters. Purely a self-made man, his
life is worthy of emulation by the youth of the land.
Extracted March 2011 by Norma Hass from
The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois,
1896.
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