4/4/1874 - 10/13/1942
There is in all probability no better known educator
in Adams County than J. A. Buckmaster, the subject of this sketch. He has
been identified prominently with the educational movements and developments
of this county for the past twelve years and has made a place for himself
among the leaders of thought in his district.
He was
born in Jefferson Township, Adams County, April 4, 1874. He is a son of
David and Sarah (Hutchinson) Buckmaster. His father was born in Holmes
County, Ohio, and was married in that state. He migrated to Indiana and
brought his young wife with him. He made the long trip in 1852 and settled
on a farm which he cultivated. J. A. Buckmaster, his son, was one of a
family of five children, four of whom are still living. He was reared on his
father's farm in Jefferson Township and received his preliminary education
in the common schools of the neighborhood. After completing his course in
the common schools he taught in Jefferson Township for two years. He aspired
to a better education and following the completion of his second year as a
teacher he entered the Tri-State Normal College at Angola, Indiana. After
completing his course in this institution, where he did good work and
secured high standards, he returned to his home in Jefferson Township. He at
once resumed his work as a teacher and has since continued in it. He began
teaching when but nineteen years of age and served as an educator for more
than twelve years. He was placed on the Republican county ticket in 1898 for
clerk against his consent, which resulted in defeat, but led all Republican
candidates in the number of votes he received In 1904 he was the Republican
candidate for trustee of Jefferson township and was again defeated and
without dismissing school during the campaign reduced a Democratic majority
of eighty-three votes to a Democratic majority of seven.
He owns and lives on a farm of forty acres in Jefferson Township, also owns
one-third interest in a string of oil tools with Mr. J. L. Yancy and D. H.
Rumple. When the Jefferson Township Telephone Company was organized a few
years ago it was the second mutual company in this part of the county. Mr.
Buckmaster was elected its president for the first year and at the end of
that term was re-elected for the next year. He has since held the office of
secretary for the company two years. This company is now one of the largest,
if not the largest, in the county. It has many miles of lines and about one
hundred phones. During this time he has proved himself an able and efficient
educator and to his patience and efforts many youths of Jefferson Township
owes their introduction to the world of culture and intellectual
attainments. He is a teacher who takes a keen interest in the progress of
his profession and keeps abreast of its progression. He is interested in
various associations and attends sessions of the state meeting and of county
institutes. He has also frequently taught vocal music.
He was married in 1895 to Miss Harriet A. Brewster, a daughter of Daniel and
Loverda (Bebout) Brewster. His wife's father is a native of Pennsylvania and
came to Indiana in an early day. Four children have town been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Buckmaster: Angelo T, Claudie B., Lois L. and Verlyn G.
Mr. Buckmaster is a Republican and has always voted the ticket of this
party. He is in no sense a public man and has not aspired to public office.
However, he keeps in touch with public changes and events and is well
informed upon most political subjects. He and the members of his family
attend the Evangelical church. Fraternally Mr. Buckmaster is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is the present teacher of the school of
District No. 2, of Wabash Township, and the school at the last session
numbered seventy-three pupils.
Snow's History of Adams
County, Indiana, John Fletcher Snow, B. F. Bowen, Indianapolis, IN, 1907.
*****
Lived on the farm on which he
was born until he and his family moved to Portland in Jay County,
Indiana in 1923 where he lived until his death. He attended teacher's
college at Angola in preparation for a teaching position in the local
schools where he taught for 30 years. Many of the Jefferson Township youth
credited him with the only education that was available to them at the time,
and many pupils were his lifetime friends.
He was a member of the Mount Carmel Evangelical
Church while he lived in Jefferson Township, but became a member of
Portland's First Presbyterian Church after moving to Portland. He chose the
Presbyterian Church due to his mother's membership in the Presbyterian
Church in Fredericksburg, Ohio where she was born and lived until she came
to Indiana and married David Buckmaster.
Mr. Buckmaster
was a lover of music and sang and taught singing in the schools and in his
church.
Also a farmer, Insurance and real estate agent. Died of a Heart
Attack
Contributed by D R Buck
Buried in Green Park Cemetery