An American Family History

Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the Counties of Clark, Crawford ...by John M. Gresham Company

E[noch] Buchanan (deceased), formerly of Shelby township, Jefferson county, Ind., was born October 21, 1821, in Ripley county, and was the son of, Wilson Buchanan, a native of Pennsylvania. Wilson and his three brothers came to Indiana at an early day, and made the first settlement in this neighborhood, and helped to build the first fort or blockhouse here, as a place of refuge for the settlers and of defence against the Indians. The fort was called Buchanan's Station. They raised families under the difficulties attending pioneer settlement.

The subject of this sketch was one of the children, and was raised a pioneer, getting an education of the best afforded at that time, which was of the simplest, and of what could in these days of advanced schools be considered the poorest, kind. At the age of 19, in 1841, he married Miss Lucinda Connor, daughter of Mr. Louis Connor, who was also an early settler. The result of this union was six children: Wm. H. H., who enlisted in the Twenty-second Indiana Volunteers, and returned home in six months and died the same year from illness contracted in the service; Minerva J., Lavina H., Eliza E., John W. and Edith E. His wife died September 2, 1857, and he re-married Feb. 14, 1859. This time he married Miss Rebecca Hillis, daughter of Hiram Hillis, a native of Indiana. Her mother was Louisa Atherton, daughter of Joseph Atherton, a native of Virginia. The result of this marriage was seven children: Mary E., Hannah, Victoria, Hattie L., Effie M., George T. and Nellie 8. The subject of this sketch died February 19, 1883. He had been successful in life, educated his children well, and at the same time, by careful management and patient industry, had accumulated quite an amount of valuable property. At the time of his death he owned some 900 acres of well improved land in Ripley and Jefferson counties, which is still owned by the heirs. All of his property was obtained by his own efforts, nothing having been given to him by his father. Athe marriage of this first set of children he presented each of them with $1,500. His sale bill amounted to $3,000. Mrs. Buchanan still lives on the homestead, which belongs to her and her daughters and son, who is now 14 years of age and who is walking in the footsteps of his father and alive to all home interests, and loves his books and will make his mark in the world. Mary E. and Hannah have married; the other five are at home with their mother. Mr. Buchanan was a good citizen and a choice man.