Carlisle Lamar Buck (1887-1959)

This is the story of my grandfather, Carlisle Lamar Buck.   Much of the text was written by my father in his memoirs.

Carlisle Lamar Buck was the second son of William CalmesBuck II and Martha Elizabeth Clardy.  He was born on April 4, 1887 in Girard, Alabama (now Phenix City) in Russell County.  His parents and family moved to Decatur, Alabama about 1890.

At that time, a public school education consisted of eleven years and C. L. Buck finished high school.  He then worked a few years for his father in his construction and sawmill businesses.

Carlisle Buck played on the first high school football team in Decatur, Alabama. He played right halfback on the New Decatur team in 1905.  That team played only one game and they were beaten by the Cander school of Gurley.  Carlisle liked all sports and would take his children to both football and baseball games whenever he could.

Carlisle Lamar Buck and Susan Elizabeth Masterson were married on Nov. 2, 1910 in Decatur, Alabama.  Their marriage was performed by L. Pryor Royer and witnessed by R. K. Balch and E. E. Speer.  Both listed their place of residence as "New Decatur" and the wedding was also performed in "New Decatur".

Susan Elizabeth Masterson, the daughter of Matthew Andrew Masterson and Margeannah Martha Sandlin, was born on Mar. 16, 1885 in Lawrence Co., Alabama.  About 1908, Susan Elizabeth Masterson was a telephone operator in Decatur.

Carlisle Lamar Buck’s primary career was as a salesman.  He worked in department stores, dry goods stores, was a traveling salesman and delivery man, and in a furniture store. 

Carlisle Buck ran for the office of City Councilman in Decatur but was not elected.  Later he ran for Justice of the Peace for Beat 1 in Morgan County and was elected.

Carlisle Lamar Buck and Susan Elizabeth Masterson had seven children, all born in Decatur, Alabama:

• Carlisle Lamar Buck Jr. (1912-1991); married Esta Mae Murray, 
• Norman Masterson Buck (1914-1976); did not marry.
• Sarah Elizabeth Buck (1916-2012); married David Harris Gilley, 1938.
• Gordon Sandlin Buck Sr. (1918-2002); married Annie Ruth Hale, 1946.
• Nelson Roberts Buck (1918-2004); married Mary Hanks, 1937.
• Rachel Lois Buck (1920-2012); married Millard Brown, 1940; married Ezra (Bill) Rameth Childers, 1954.
• William Calmes Buck (1923-2011); did not marry.

In registering for the World War I draft in 1917, C. L. Buck gave his address as 916 Jackson Street in Albany. He was a “traveling salesman” for the W. H. Aycock Company.  He was described as tall, medium build with brown hair and brown eyes.  (He was about 5’ 9” tall.)

Sometime after 1917, C. L. Buck began working for William R. Moore Company, a dry goods wholesale business out of Memphis, Tennessee.  He worked for them until the Wall Street Crash in 1929 and the start of the Great Depression.  Usually on Monday morning he would take his sample cases, go by streetcar or horse and buggy to the railway station.  From there he would travel to one of the towns in his territory.  There he would rent a horse and buggy and go from store to store displaying and selling his company’s merchandize.  Normally he would be gone for several days, returning home on Friday.  About 1924 he bought a “T” model Ford to use instead of a horse and buggy. His work as a traveling salesman kept him away from home Monday through Friday, but on weekends, Saturday, that is, he would take his family to ball games, swimming, fishing and such depending on the season.  After the Depression, he started working for Shumake Furniture Company in Decatur as a salesman, buyer and delivery director. 

In the 1920 census, C. L. and Bessie Buck were living at 916 Jackson Street which was next door to Bessie’s father, Matthew Masterson.

In the 1930 census, C. L. and Bessie Buck were still living at 916 Jackson Street

In the 1950s, Carlisle Lamar Buck was a Justice of the Peace in Decatur, Alabama.

In 1952, C. L. and Bessie Buck lived at 921 Sherman Street in Decatur, Alabama. 

Based on a letter he wrote to his son, W. C. Buck, Carlisle and Bess must have moved to 1514 Jackson Street to live with Mae Masterson in 1955.  This was the house built by/for Mae and Bess's father, Matthew Masterson, but the house numbering system had changed.  The house still exists today (2019).

In 1959, he wrote to Gordon Buck, Sr:

"Forty-one years ago two little boys came to our house to stay.  We already had two boys but after talking the matter over we decided to keep them also and we have been mighty glad that we did.

"At first they were real little boys but they soon grew up to be big boys, then men, and now they have little boys of their own.

"We are proud of both of them and wish for them many more happy birthdays.  I am glad to call these boys my sons.

                                                   Dad"

Carlisle Buck was raised in the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church which was founded by his parents and he was a member all his life.  He was a devout Christian and held many positions in the church but he especially liked to work with young people.  At various times he was Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Sunday School Director, Director of the “BYPU” (Baptist Young Peoples Union) and Choir Director.  He loved to sing and had a beautiful voice for it.  He was always singing.  He loved to sing solos for special services at his church and at others when asked.

Carlisle Lamar Buck died September 1959 at the age of 72 in Decatur, Alabama. He was buried in Decatur, Alabama. Susan Elizabeth Masterson Buck died on January 15, 1979 at the age of 93 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.  She was buried in Decatur, Alabama next to her husband.