Alameda
County
Biographies
JOHN BUCHANAN
When Mr. Buchanan first located in Washington
township, Alameda county, the land about his present
home was a barren plain, with but a few residences. He became the owner of a
little ranch of forty acres, which he proceeded to cultivate and improve,
setting out a grove of trees which to-day (sic) afford a grateful shelter and
give a pleasant aspect to his home. He eventually added by purchase twenty-five
acres, all under cultivation, and forming a valuable ranch and a pleasant and
comfortable home for himself and wife, both of whom have passed the biblical
allotment of years, and are still active in physical health an retain as well
their mental alertness.
A native of Ayrshire,
Scotland, Mr. Buchanan was born May 19, 1822, and when about sixteen years old
went to sea, which life he followed for about twelve years. He landed in New
York City about the time they were recruiting soldiers for the Mexican war, and
he at once enlisted in the American navy, being then sent to Philadelphia to
join the ship then being fitted to go to Vera Cruz. In the capture of the fort
at that city Mr. Buchanan was made captain of the main top, and was also,
shortly after his enlistment, appointed quartermaster of the ship. Following
their service in Mexican waters, the ship was ordered to the coast of Africa
after “slavers,” and captured three going in, but they had no slaves aboard.
The irons which they had aboard, however, were sent back to the United States
government. After three years Mr. Buchanan was honorably discharged at Norfolk,
Va., after which he went to Philadelphia for a time. He eventually made two
voyages to the West Indies, and finally, in February, 1850, he took passage on
the ship Thomas Watson for California via the Horn. Arriving in San Francisco
June 24, 1850, he engaged to conduct a pleasure boat and carry freight between
Union City and San Francisco, continuing so employed for a year. He then went
to the mines on the Middle Yuba river and mined for a
year, meeting with a fair degree of success. Deciding to enter upon
agricultural work, he then came to Alameda county and
near Centerville rented land which he farmed on shares, selling potatoes that
year for ten cents per pound. The following year there was no market for this
vegetable and in its production he lost all that he had previously made. In
1852 Mr. Buchanan located on his present ranch, renting the same until 1855,
when he purchased forty acres. Afterward he purchased twenty-five acres, and
has since cultivated and improved the property until it holds rank with the
best in this section.
November 10, 1864, Mr. Buchanan was
united in marriage with Rachel Ross, who was born in County Derry, Ireland, in
1832, and came to the United States in 1856. In 1864 she came to California and
located in Washington township with her brothers,
Andrew and John Ross, whose sketches will be found elsewhere in this work. Of
the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan we make the following mention: Margaret
Watson, the wife of O. J. Emory, of Alvarado, has two children, Weston Buchanan
and Orma Jenice; John Ross,
who conducts his father’s ranch, married Annie Meehan, of San Francisco, and
they have one daughter Alice R., and Simeon Augusta Dunn is a clerk in a store
in Alvarado. In his political convictions Mr. Buchanan is a stanch Democrat,
but has never cared for official recognition. Both himself
and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and helped to build and
liberally supported the denomination in Alvarado. Mr. Buchanan has officiated
in various offices in the church and their son John Ross is now one of the
trustees, having taken his mother’s place, as she held that office. For his
services in the Mexican war Mr. Buchanan now receives a pension. In all
respects Mr. Buchanan is an honored and esteemed resident, and holds the
highest regard of all who know him.
Transcribed
by: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California &
Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A.
M., Pages 993-994. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.
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