JAMES A. BUCKINGHAM

      JAMES A. BUCKINGHAM was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on September 18, 1831. His father, John B., was a native of old Virginia, and his mother, Amanda M. (Eaton) Buckingham, was a native of Kentucky. Our subject attended the common schools of Illinois, which were very primitive at that time and when he grew to manhood remained in that state until 1852, then the family went to Pierce county, Wisconsin, where five years were spent in farming. In 1857, he returned to his old home in Illinois, and farmed until 1867. At that time, he removed to Pike county, Missouri, stopping there for a short time, then went on to Audrian county, the same state, in which place he was a tiller of the soil for twenty years. After the expiration of that long period, Mr. Buckingham removed to Washington, spending his first year in the Evergreen State, near Cheney. Then he searched out a place in Douglas county and settled where we now find him, about four miles east from Buckingham postoffice. He took land under the government right and in addition to improving the farm, he gave his attention to stock raising. Like the other immigrants to this country, he made annual. pilgrimages from this country for the purpose of gaining money for food. During the winter of 1889-90 he had a small band of cattle which he succeeded in saving although most of the cattle of the country died. His base of supplies was Spokane and the lumber of which his house is built was hauled from Cheney and the Badger Mountains. His nearest neighbor was Mr. Downey, living six miles west. Mr. Buckingham labored faithfully and long during the hard years of early life in Douglas county and he is now one of the wealthy men of the section. His place is on the old trail to the mines and was known as one of the leading places in the county. He has held various county offices and was appointed postmaster by John Wanamaker, which position he held for nine years. Mr. Buckingham has two brothers who died in the Rebellion and two others, John W. and Elisha, who are now living. He also has one sister, Mrs. Louisa Shannon.

      At Trimble, Wisconsin, in July, 1855, Mr. Buckingham married Martha Ryan, who was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, on June 20, 1830. For nearly half a century, she was his faithful companion in all the reverses and successes on their pilgrimage journey until July, 1901, she departed this life, being aged seventy-one. She had one brother, Simeon, and one sister, Katherine. To Mr. and Mrs. Buckingham, six children were born, named as follows: Mrs. Annie A. Smith, Mrs. Clara Merchand, William O., Albert J., Mrs. Regina V. Shamblin, and James A.

     Mr. Buckingham was raised in the Methodist church and although not a member of any denomination at the present time strongly leans toward that faith.

________________________

DOUGLAS CO BIO INDEX

________________________