Buchan, Frank E.

The following data is extracted from Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement.

Frank E. Buchan, a resident farmer of Union Grove, was born in Dover Township, September 26, 1870, his parents being Edward and Mary (Renny) Buchan, both of whom were natives of Dover Township and representatives of old pioneer families of this part of the state. The paternal grandparents were Edward and Jane (Tillie) Buchan, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They came to Dover in 1838, driving across the country from New York with ox teams. Wisconsin was then still under territorial rule and practically little had been done in the way of settlement in southeastern Wisconsin. The grandfather had learned the miller's trade in Scotland and he built and operated the first mill in Rochester, New York. He was also the builder of a mill in Geneseo, Illinois. He removed his family to Dover, after which he went to Illinois and built a mill at Geneseo, subsequent to which time he returned to Racine County and purchased land from the government. He had forty acres in Dover Township, to which he afterward added a tract of eighty acres, and still later he purchased other tracts of forty and of eighty acres. His wife possessed considerable skill in medical practice and acted as physician for the entire neighborhood in pioneer times. The maternal grandfather, Alexander Renny, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and crossed the Atlantic about 1838. He purchased five hundred acres of land in Yorkville Township, becoming one of the extensive landowners of this part of the state, and upon that property he spent his remaining days. Edward Buchan, the father of our subject, was born in 1844 and died in the tall of 1913, while the mother, who was born in 1848, is still living. They were married in Yorkville Township and had a family of four children, three of whom survive: Frank E.; Flora, the wife of H. J. Smith, a jeweler of Racine; and Tillie. The parents were members of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Buchan also belonged to the Masonic fraternity, to the teachings of which he was most loyal. In politics he was always a republican and for a number of terms he served as chairman of the board of supervisors. His position in regard to matters of citizenship was ever characterized by loyalty and patriotism and at the time of the Civil War he joined the Union army as a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Regiment, with which he served for two years. When the war was over he returned to the north and again took up his abode upon the old homestead, which he carefully and wisely managed and conducted until success in substantial measure rewarded his efforts.

Frank E. Buchan is indebted to the public school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed in his youthful days. He was reared to farm work, early becoming familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Throughout his entire life he has carried on general agricultural pursuits and he is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land, which he has brought to a high state of development. In addition to carrying on general farming he does some dairying: He is the owner of the old homestead, which is one of the best improved farm properties in the County, and in its midst stands a nice residence, so that he is able to surround himself with all of the comforts and sonic of the luxuries of life.

In 1906 Mr. Buchan was united in marriage to Miss Carrie I. Hoyt, who was born in Burlington, Wisconsin, and is a daughter of William and Irene (Jackson) Hoyt. The father was a merchant and became one of the early settlers of Racine County. He was born, reared and died on the home farm in Rochester, Wisconsin, engaging in agricultural pursuits during his later years. Mr. and Mrs. Buchan have one child, Flora Irene, who is now in school. They are members of the First Presbyterian church and guide their lives according to its teachings. The principles which govern their conduct are such as win from them the highest regard and confidence wherever they are known and they have a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance.

Source: Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

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