William Calmes Buck: Texas

(Continuing posts about William Calmes Buck)

After the Civil War, William Calmes Buck moved to Waco, Texas along with several of his children and extended family.  Some of his family arrived in Waco as early as 1865   but Wm. C. Buck did not get to Waco until 1866.  To get to Waco, the Bucks traveled by boat down the Mississippi through New Orleans to Galveston.  From Galveston, they traveled by rail to the railhead at Millican near Bryan, Texas and then by wagon to Waco.  

During the Civil War, friends of Wm. C. Buck had protected his ownership of property in Louisville by paying the taxes. Wm. C. Buck sold this property and bought a house and 200 acre farm near Waco.  His daughter, Emma, said she was thrilled to find that the four room house had glass windows.  However, the house did not have beds or a stove and furnishings as well as supplies and foods were difficult to obtain for a long time.

Wm. C. Buck was said to be about 5’ 7” tall, weigh about 175 pounds and to be very strong.  For most of his life, he did not have a beard but allowed his beard to grow in his old age.

The 1870 census shows him as the head of household and gives his occupation as "Minister of the Gospel". 

William Calmes Buck died on May 18, 1872 at the age of 81 in Waco, Texas of a cancer on his face.  He was buried in Old First Street Cemetery, Waco, Texas.  His tombstone is in the shape of a pulpit!