Sheriff Alexander Buchanan
Served as Sheriff of Grant County from 1852 to 1856 and also served from 1867 to 1869
Sheriff Buchanan was born Novermber 24, 1818 and Died on June 17, 1902
Sheriff Buchanan Biography
Sheriff Buchanan is the first Sheriff to serve terms on two separate occasions. Sheriff Buchanan was a much beloved leader in the community and according to records was the first elected Sheriff who had served in the Civil War. Sheriff Buchanan is laid to rest in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Marion, Indiana. Here is articles I have located about Sheriff Buchanan’s life.
Biography
This much by way of historical record, whi1e tradition tells us that the American Buchanans trace their lineal descent from the three brothers of the name who were brought to this country while mere lads, too young doubtless to appreciate the importance of preserving knowledge of family connections in Scotland. Being separated these brothers became the heads of families, one branch in Pennsylvania, one in Virginia and one in eastern New York.
The family to which the late Alexander Buchanan, for more than sixty years a resident of Marion belonged, was of the Pennsylvania wing. His father, James M. Sr., was disinherited for marrying Rachel McCarthy, a young Irish girl employed in his father's family in the capacity of nursery governess. James Buchanan Sr. moved to Trumbull county, Ohio, then in the Western Reserve and attached for government to the state of Pennsylvania, where were born to them nine children, of which Alexander was the fifth.
His early life was spent on the farm until his fifteenth year, when he was apprenticed to a cabinet maker with whom he worked until he attained his majority. His apprenticeship was served at Youngstown, Ohio, where he attended the village schools during the winter months. James Buchanan Sr. moved to Grant county in 1838, locating on what is known as the Robert Willson farm, southeast of Jonesboro. After some years they moved to their farm in Wabash county, southeast of the village of Ashland, now Lafontain. Alexander Buchanan came to Marion in 1840, and with the late David Norton as partner manufactured furniture. This partnership lasted for several years. After their dissolution, and realizing the need of an undertaking establishment, Alexander Buchanan opened up the first one in the then village of Marion, and built the first hearse he used, his wife making the curtains and trimmings for it In the meantime he continued to manufacture furniture, many pieces of which are still to be found in Grant and Wabash counties. Some of the best known men in the country worked with him, notably Isaiah Cox and Daniel Barley, the latter of whom also served as postmaster for many years. In 1851 Alexander Buchanan sold his business to Samuel Whisler and having been elected county sheriff qualified for that office, which he filled for three consecutive terms, was again elected in 1867, serving three years under a new enactment by legislature, retiring from active political life in 1870, but never during life losing interest in the Republican party to which he was a faithful adherent from its birth.
When the first call for three months men to enlist in the war of the Rebellion was made, Mr. Buchanan enlisted as first lieutenant of Company I of the Twelfth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and before taking the field was made its captain, serving his term of enlistment was mustered out, and was prevented from re-enlisting because of loss of his home by fire. At the time of his death, which occurred June 17, 1902, Alexander Buchanan had been for twenty- six years the senior member of the firm of Buchanan & Son, undertakers and marble and granite dealers.
September 9, 1841, Captain Buchanan was married to Miss Julia Ellzroth, daughter of Frederick and Katherine Ellzroth, pioneer settlers of Marion. Mrs. Buchanan passed away in March, 1886. Six children were born to them, namely: Simon Monroe, Harriett, Laura, James Monroe, David and Mary Christfield. Their first born and two younger children died in childhood. The second daughter, Laura, was married to H. C. Hathaway at Richmond, Indiana, December 9, 1869. They are the parents of four children, three of whom are still living.
Record from Centennial history of Grant County, Indiana, 1812 to 1912 ..., Volume 2
Buchanan Family Of Grant County. The history of a family written by a member of it naturally partakes largely of the personal element. The mutations of time change all things and all peoples and while "new occasions teach new duties" and this history deals with the past and its evolutional changes, it is also the story of the present, told today, which in time shall become the history of the past.
According to Madam's "Clans and Customs," a history of Scotland, the genealogists of clan Buchanan derive it from a son of O'Kyan, an Irish prince, who came to Scotland in time of Malcolm II anno 1016 and obtained the,lands of Buchanan in county Stirling.
The condensed history of clan Buchanan, which tells of its honorable miltary history, its adherence to Bruce, refusing allegiance to King Edward I of England in 1296; their marriages, births and deaths, all changing incidents of life; their landed possessions which stretched over a distance of about eighteen miles on the north side of Loch Lomond, justly celebrated in song and story, with the house of Buchanan on its banks, now the country place of His Grace the Duke of Montrose; the war-shout '' Clan Innis'' which passing quickly would in a few hours muster the clan of fifty heritors and their followers, all of their name; their armorial bearings, motto and badges, tartan and costume, with its large loose plaid and philibeg; the buttons peculiar to the Highlanders; the sporan bearing the warcry "Clan Innis;" the hose, the bonnet with its badge of two feathers, and family portraits which are today in the possession of Herbert Buchanan Esq. of Arden,—all matters of historical record have no particular bearing upon this paper other than to note their origin as a family and the significance of their Christian names. It is a far cry from Scotland, 1240, to America, 1914, but more than six hundred years ago the Lairds of Buchanan, chiefs of their clan, were the Sirs Alexander, James, John, George and Walter, and wherever the family of Buchanan is known in America these names have been repeated again and again.
This much by way of historical record, while tradition tells us that the American Buchanans trace their lineal descent from the three brothers of the name who were brought to this country while mere lads, too young doubtless to appreciate the importance of preserving knowledge of family connections in Scotland. Being separated these brothers became'the heads of families, one branch in Pennsylvania, one in Virginia and one in eastern New York.
The family to which the late Alexander Buchanan, for more than sixty years a resident of Marion belonged, was of the Pennsylvania wing. His father, James M. Sr., was disinherited for marrying Rachel McCarthy, a young Irish girl employed in his father's family in the capacity of nursery governess. James' Buchanan Sr. moved to Trumbull county, Ohio, then in the Western Reserve and attached for government to the state of Pennsylvania, where were born to them nine children, of which Alexander was the fifth.
His early life was spent on the farm until his fifteenth year, when he was apprenticed to a cabinet maker with whom he worked until he attained his majority. His apprenticeship was served at Youngstown, Ohio, where he attended the village schools during the winter months. James Buchanan Sr. moved to Grant county in 1838, locating on what is known as the Robert Willson farm, southeast of Jonesboro. After some years they moved to their-farm in Wabash county, southeast of the village of Ashland, now Lafontain. Alexander Buchanan came to Marion in 1840, and with the late David Norton as partner manufactured furniture. This partnership lasted for several years. After their dissolution, and realizing the need of an undertaking establishment, Alexander Buchanan opened up the first one in the then village of Marion, and built the first hearse he used, his wife making the curtains and trimmings for it. In the meantime he continued to manufacture furniture, many pieces of which are still to be found in Grant and Wabash counties. Some of the best known men in the country worked with him, notably Isaiah Cox and Daniel Barley, the latter of whom also served as postmaster for many years. In 1851 Alexander Buchanan sold his business to Samuel Whisler and having been elected county sheriff qualified for that office, which he filled for three consecutive terms, was again elected in 1867, serving three years under a new enactment by legislature, retiring from active political life in 1870, but never during life losing interest in the Republican party to which he was a faithful adherent from its birth.
When the first call for three months men to enlist in the war of the Rebellion was made, Mr. Buchanan enlisted as first lieutenant of Company I of the Twelfth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and before taking the field was made its captain, serving his term of enlistment was mustered out, and was prevented from re-enlistihg because of loss of his home by fire. At the time of his death, which occurred June 17, 1902, Alexander Buchanan had been for twentysix years the senior member of the firm of Buchanan & Son, undertakers and marble and granite dealers.
September 9, 1841, Captain Buchanan was married to Miss Julia Ellzroth, daughter of Frederick and Katherine Ellzroth, pioneer settlers of Marion. Mrs. Buchanan passed away in March, 1886. Six children were born to them, namely: Simon Monroe, Harriett, Laura, James Monroe, David and Mary Christfield. Their first born and two younger children died in childhood. The second daughter, Laura, was married to H. C. Hathaway at Richmond, Indiana, December 9, 1869.
Served in civil war
Buchanan, Alexander, of Marion; 1st Lt., Co I, 12th (1yr) Reg.;Prom. to Cap.;
MO 5-19-62. b. 1-23-1818, d. 6-7-1902, buried IOOF Cemetery, Marion IN
From Marion News-Tribune
Wednesday Morning, June 18, 1902
ALEX. BUCHANAN PASSES AWAY
Death Claims One of the Oldest Pioneers of Marion
REMARKABLE CAREER IS ENDED
Had Been Closely Associated With City and County’s Business Interests for More Than Sixty Years
Alexander Buchanan, one of the oldest pioneers of Northern Indiana, and one of Marion’s most prominent citizens, died at 11:20 o’clock last night at his home, corner of Boots and Fifth Streets, after lying at the point of death for nearly three weeks
Alexander Buchanan was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, November 28, 1818. At that time Trumbull county was within the state of Pennslyvania and he was really a Pennsylvania. He was the fifth of a family of nine children born to James and Rachael Buchanan, but one of whom survive him—William Buchanan, a wealthy stockman of Harney City, Oregon.
His lineage is the same as that of James Buchanan, fifteenth president of the United States. Three Buchan boys emigrated to this country in 1783 and Alexander Buchanan was the descendant of one of the three.
His early life was spent on a farm. At the age of 15 he was apprenticed to a cabinet maker with whom he worked until he attained his majority. His apprenticeship was served at Youngstown, Ohio, where he attended the village schools during the winter months while not working at his bench. His schooling was limited of necessity; nevertheless, Mr. Buchan studied during his last hours and acquired a good fund of general information.
Mr. Buchanan’s parents moved to Grant county in the latter part of 1838, locating in what is known as the old Robert Wilson farm, southeast of Jonesboro. Here they lived for some years, afterwards moving near Lafontaine, Wabash county. Alexander Buchanan came to Marion in 1840 and formed a partenership with David Horton. They manufactured furniture and occasionally furnished caskets. Their business arrangement lasted only a few months when they sold out and went to Louisville, KY. The trip to Louisville was made by a boat which the two gentleman built, starting from Peru. A business was established in Louisville, but lasted only a short time. Selling out they returned to Marion and opened up business on Adams street near Fifth street, on the present site of the Mahaffey block, which partenership lasted for several years.
Mr. Buchan saw the needs of an undertaker in Marion and opened the first undertaking establishment in the city. He built the first hearse he used, his wife making the curtains and trimmings for it. During the time thus engaged in the undertaking business, Mr. Buchanan continued to make furniture, many pieces of which are still to be found in Grant and Wabash counties. Some of the best known men in the country worked with him, one of them being Isaiah Cox. After the partnership between him and David Horton was dissolved, Mr. Buchanan continued the business for some time, but in 1851 sold out to Samuel Whisler.
In 1851 Mr. Buchanan qualified as sheriff of Grant county which office he filled for three terms, or six years. At the close of his last term of office he formed a partnership with Aaron C. Swayzee in the general mecantile business. This continued some years until he was forced to sell out his interest on account of poor health. In 1867 Mr. Buchanan was again elected sheriff and re-elected in 1869. The legislature having changed the tenure of office he served only one year of his last term, and declined to be candidate for reelection. He permanently retired from active political life in 1870. During his service as sheriff Mr. Buchanan passed through many exciting events. The most noted criminal case in which Mrs. Hubbard was convicted of murder of the French family. This case was venued to Grant county from Wabash county and the older residents of Marion recall much of the interest manifested in the trial. After the conviction, Mr. Buchanan accompanied her to the penitentiary where she served a life sentence. In the settlement of many of the fueds of that day Mr. Buchanan was called upon to take an active part. The county was infested with horse thieves and his years as sheriff were busy ones in attempting to drive them out of the county.
When the first call for twelve-month men was made by President Lincoln, Mr. Buchan enlisted in Company I, Twelfth Indiana Infantry. He was at once elected first lieutenant, his commission bearing the date of May 23, 1861. Before his company took the field Lieutenant Buchanan was promoted to the captaincy. This was in July of the same year. After serving one year he received an honorable discharge and came home with the intention of re-enlisting. In the meantime his home had burned and much of his property destroyed. This interfered with his plans and forced him to remain at home during the remainder of the war.
The survivors of the company which Capt. Buchanan had command of are: Frank Smith, Marion; William Barley, Marion; Ira Owens, Lincoln, Neb; William Sheltz, Upland; Captain Joseph Sattherwaite, Marion; Joseph Lenfesty, Frank Malott, Lieutenant J. C. Barnard, Judge Joseph L. Caster, Andrew Cenler and Captain John M. Howard, Marion.
After serving his last two terms as sheriff, Captain Buchanan engaged in the handling of marble and granite for monumental purposes. Smith Kelsay, whose death was recorded a few days ago, was in his employ for thirty-five years. Twenty-six years ago Captain Buchanan engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, the last named having been continued under the firm name of Buchanan & Son. Their place of business is on South Washington street, near Fifth street.
On September 9, 1841, Captain Buchanan was married to Miss Julia Ann Elsroth, the daughter of Frederick and Catherine Elsroth, well known in the early days to the inhabitants of Grant county. Mrs. Buchanan passed away March 27, 1886.
Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan; Simon Monroe, who died in infancy in 1847; Miss Harriet Ann, residing at the Buchanan home; Mrs. Laura Hattaway, residing at Richmond; James M., living in Marion and a member of the firm of Buchanan & Son; an infant son who died in 1855; Miss Mary Christfield Buchanan, died in 1872 at the age of 13.
On July 17, 1842, Captain Buchanan united with the Church of Christ, being received by Elder Hallett Barbour, the founder of the Marion church of that denomination. From that date Captain Buchanan was a faithful member, contributing to the support of every moral Christian enterprise. He early became a member of the Masonic lodge Marion, confing his membership to the Blue lodge. He was an earnest and active member, but never aspired to the honor of the order.
In politics Captain Buchanan was a whig so long as the party had an organization. When the republican party was formed he affiliated with it and remained a steadfast adherent to its principles.
In public enterprises he was always actively interested in whatever would advance them. He did his part toward the up-building of the city and prospered with its growth. During the days of the Marion Academy Captain Buchanan was an active member of the board of trustees and his interested in the public schools was fully as great as in the academy.
Captain Buchanan was a man of broad and liberal views. He admired the man with firm convictions and the moral courage to carry them into execution. He was kind and charitable to all and believed in every man doing something to benefit society.
Though management of his business passed largely into the hands of his son, James, Mr. Buchanan took an active interest in it until forced to seek rest and recreation. Three years ago he conceived the idea of erecting a new residence and superintended its construction. In November 1901, Captain Buchanan paid a visit to his granddaughter, Mrs. Otis E. Little of Boston. On his return he began to fail in health, the results of exposure during his army life. His last illness began a few days ago and its nature was such that the decline was rapid.
