James Warren Hale

 

James Warren Hale, my maternal grandfather, was, primarily, a laborer on the railroad but he was also an aspiring writer.  Beginning in 1942, and likely earlier, he wrote a total of 28 short stories, plays or novels –5916 pages -- in 35 journals.  The journals are a mix of hard cover “Record” books and spiral bound notebooks.  Most of his stories are very simple and written in ink with a small but neat cursive handwriting.

I recall seeing a few of these stories along with a typewriter on a table in the bedroom he used at the Askew Farm near Meridian, Mississippi.  This would have been in the late 1950s.  I thought there were only a few stories.  After his death in 1966, his daughter, Jeannette Hill, kept the manuscripts.  Jeannette died in 2004.  After the death of her husband John in 2018, I asked their son, John if he was aware of the stories and if they were anywhere to be found.  John eventually found the manuscripts in an old suitcase.  John gave the manuscripts to me and I began to study them.

I typed three of his stories, including his autobiographical “Railroad Man” and have now put them in a book, “The Times, Life and Stories ofJ. W. Hale” along with some genealogical information.  The book also includes a short autobiography about growing up in the late 1800s that was written by Dr. R. E. Hale, brother of J. W. Hale as well as a history of the Elizabeth Presbyterian Church that they attended.  I’ve self-published this book on Amazon in both paperback and ebook format so others have access to it.

Frankly, these are not good stories but I’m pleased to have them.  They tell a little more about the grandfather that I barely knew.  In particular, his autobiographical sketch, “Railroad Man”, provides a lot of background information. 

My grandfather may not have actually intended for his stories to be read but I’m pleased to make him a published author.

Book: My Buck Family of Virginia

The print version of my genealogy book “My Buck Family of Virginia” is finally available and I’ve received the first copy for checking. Amazon said that my first proof copy (ordered in late January) was lost in transit. As far as I can tell, my book is ready to be sold. It can be found on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0842MZMSG .

My Buck Family of Virginia Book

I’ve published a genealogy book about my Buck family.  Much of the information in the book is also available on this blog.  My book is available now as an ebook on Amazon and will soon be available as a printed book.  See https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0847R7WG8/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

My branch of the Buck family is usually referred to as the “Buck Family of Virginia”.  The first member of the Buck family to come to the New World was the Reverend Richard Bucke who sailed from England on June 2, 1609 for Jamestown on the Seaventure. He was the second minister of the Virginia colony and is probably best known for performing the marriage ceremony of John Rolfe and Pocahontas in 1614.

The progenitor of my Buck family of Virginia was Thomas Buck (1618 - 1659) who left Gravesend, England for Virginia on August 21, 1635 onboard the ship George when he was seventeen years old. There is no known relationship between Thomas Buck and the Rev. Richard Bucke but there are several interesting, if perhaps circumstantial, similarities. They were from the same general area in England and settled into the same area in Virginia. It seems highly likely that Thomas would have known the children of Richard Bucke.

In Virginia, Thomas Buck settled into York County, Virginia and appeared to have been prosperous; however, he died at the age of 41.  His will includes an inventory of his household goods which includes, among other things, a Bible and 8000 nails.  There is little information on his children and grandchildren except for his great grandson Charles.

Charles Buck I was born about 1710 in York County and died in 1771 in the Shenandoah Valley. The three sons of Charles Buck I married three daughters of William Richardson and Isabella Calmes in 1774. These three families had thirty-two children. I am a descendant of Charles Buck II through his son William Calmes Buck.

Although the Buck family is not often mentioned in history books, they were a prominent and well-to-do plantation family in early Virginia. They were active in the local economy, politics and religion of the Shenandoah Valley during the 1700's and 1800's.  In the 1800s, many family members moved westward, especially into Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi and Texas.

The Buck family of Virginia also has connections to the Calmes, Ashby, Blakemore, Field, Helm, Neville, Payne, Pierce, Thomas, Bayly, Catlett, Sorrell and Mauzy families of Virginia and Maryland.  Later, a strong connection to the Harrison family was developed in Texas.

All of this information and more is contained in the book.  

Charles Willis Buck and the Crystal Fount

In 1873, C. W. Buck was "Editor and Proprietor" of the "Crystal Fount" a newspaper "Devoted to Temperance, Morality, Literature and General Intelligence -- Neutral in Religion and Politics".  This "Family Paper", published in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, cost two dollars per year. In the November 3 issue for 1873, C. W. Buck's column (dated October 3) was in favor of prohibition, closing with "Destroy it from the land by forbidding it made and sold; and we shall soon have no drunkards to convert and save."   His column of October 7 was "We make Ourselves" in which he said that God's works are perfect and "man made himself what he is".  This issue also noted publication of the paper would be suspended for one month due in part to "failure of subscribers to pay up" and pleaded for financial support.  "We have done wrong in sending out the paper without the money, and will hereafter strictly abide by the cash system."  The Crystal Fount was intended to be the “Organ of the Grand Lodge of Alabama”. The Grand Lodge of Alabama was part of the Independent Order of Good Templars (IOGT) – a fraternal organization that promoted temperance or total abstinence from drugs and alcohol.    The IOGT was founded in the 19th century and modeled after Freemasonry; however, the IOGT was not part of the Freemasons.  The IOGT still exists today but the Crystal Fount was published for only about two years.

My dad had this copy of Volume 1 of the Crystal Fount.  Although barely readable, it may be the only remaining issue.

Organization of Buck Family of Virginia Blog

The organization of this blog may sometimes appear to be random and that is often true.  After all, this is a blog.  On the other hand, the organization is somewhat chronological.  Also, particularly the past year or so of posts have been about my direct line in the Buck family.  I’ve presented that direct line to the extent that I feel comfortable; however, there is a lot of Buck family information still at hand.  Furthermore, I happen across additional bits of information frequently.  So, how to present new information?

I’ve decided that new blog posts will be simply whatever I’m working on or stumble upon at the time.  In other words, nearly random.

At the same time, I am working on a book:  “My Buck Family of Virginia -- The Family Tree of Gordon Sandlin Buck”.  A number of people have asked or suggested that I write a book about the Buck family but I’ve always noted that it would take a lot of work.  I would then refer people to my blog or Ancestry.com.  One day it dawned on me that I essentially had the book written – I just needed to piece it together.  As of now, my “book” consists of many, many cut-and-paste jobs taken from this blog and other things that I’ve written.  I’m sure this book won’t be a best seller but I will try to have it published and made available somehow.  Stay tuned.

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.

William Calmes Buck II (part 3)

continued ...

Obituaries

Decatur Daily - February 4, 1924

Former Citizen Dies in Florence

Funeral services for the late W. C. Buck, formerly a city councilman of Albany and for the past five years a prominent citizen of Florence, where he was engaged as a building contractor, at the time of this death, which occurred Monday morning at his Florence home, will be held at the city cemetery and interment will be there Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Buck is survived by his wife, four sons, C. L. Buck of Albany; M. S., T. N., and C. C. Buck of Birmingham; two daughters, Mrs. Jack Austin of Birmingham and Mrs. H. H. Masterson of Florence.  The deceased is survived by three brothers, John Buck of Tucson, Arizona; C. W. Buck and Robert D. Buck of Columbus, Ga., four sisters, Mrs. Miriam Stringer, Mrs. Belle Quarles and Miss Buck, all of Columbus, Ga., and Mrs. Ward Johnson of New York City.

W. C. Buck came here in 1888 and for eight years was a prominent local business man.  For eight years he was a member of the city council when Albany bore the name of New Decatur.  He was an active member of the Missionary Baptist church and was one of the charter members of the First Baptist church of Albany.

Decatur Daily - January 12, 1950

Beloved Woman Is Called Home

Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Buck, 91, will be held Friday at 3 p.m. at Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church. Rev. E.N. Chandler will conduct the rites. Interment will be made in city cemetery, Mutual Service directing.

Mrs. Buck died at a local hospital, today at 2 a.m. after several weeks illness. The body will remain at Mutual Chapel until 9 a.m. Friday, when it will be carried to the residence, 921 Sherman Street, until time for service.

Mrs. Buck was the last living charter member of the Sixteenth Avenue Baptist Church. The church was founded in 1889.

Surviving are: four sons, C.L., Decatur; Murray S., Hubert N. and Charles C., Birmingham; a daughter, Mrs. H.H. Masterson, Birmingham; one brother, Edgar Clardy, Philadelphia, Penn.; 19 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.