COLONEL WILLIAM BUCHNER

[Welland Tribune, 29 June 1900]

The late William Buchner, whose demise occurred on Tuesday last, was born in the township of Crowland on the 24^th of December 1843, the son of S.W. Buchner of that township, and afterwards of Fonthill. The Buchner family are among the pioneers of this section, and are of U. E. Loyalist stock, the predecessors of deceased having come here from New Jersey about the year 1778, preferring to forswearing their allegiance to Great Britain.

In his younger days the deceased William Buchner taught school and followed farming. When the contracts for the Welland canal enlargement were let he gave up farming, and for several years followed the business of contractor, having with his brothers, an extensive contract on the piers at Port Colborne, and afterward other work.

That Mr. Buchner was a man of ability and force of character is amply shown by the public offices he held. Although differing in politics from the majority of electors in his native township, he was repeatedly elected its reeve, and for one term held the Wardenship, the highest municipal office in the county.

In politics he was a Conservative, of the most pronounced character, as was the family to which he belonged. In 1875 he was the Conservative candidate for the Legislature against Hon. J.G. Currie, and though defeated his powerful antagonist, Mr. Currie, had but 78 majority. Mr. Currie was unseated on protest after this election, and Mr. Buchner was again his unsuccessful opponent.

Soon after this he was appointed collector of customs at Fort Erie, and after retiring from that position again did a business as contractor, and latterly an insurance business.

About the time of the Fenian raid, with the loyalty for which the family was noted for generations, he raised a cavalry company, of which he was elected captain. He was afterward appointed Major and, later, Lt.-Col. Of the Second Dragoons, and at the time of his death was on the reserve of officers-being third on the list for the Domino in point of seniority.

In 1873 Mr. Buchner united with the Methodist church, and has ever since been an active member, taking special interest in the Sabbath school work. He was married in the year 1878 to Phoebe M. Brooks, third daughter of late Geo. Brooks, of St. John’s Ont., who with one son-Brooks-and two daughters-Clarabel and Margaret –survive to mourn their irreparable loss.

There also survive three brothers-John of Toronto, Harry of Boston, Mass., and Warren of Pensacola, Florida and two sisters-Mrs. George A. Hill of Niagara Falls, N.Y. and Mrs. B.C. Canby of Wainfleet.

Mr. Buchner’s death was so sudden that it proved a terrible shock to this whole community and especially to his family and friends, to whom it fell as a thunderbolt out of a clear sky. He was around as usual the day before his death, went to bed and apparently to sleep as usual. About 5.30 Tuesday morning, (26^th inst.,) his wife was awakened by his quick breathing, and a very brief examination shewed that something serious was wrong. Two doctors were immediately sent for, but deceased breathed his last a few minutes after one doctor arrived and before the other came. The doctor pronounced the cause of death to have been angina pectoris, commonly known a spasm of the chest.

The funeral took place yesterday; burial at Dawdy’s cemetery, Pelham. A very large attendance of friends gathered to pay the last tribune of respect and sympathize with those who mourn.

The casket was beautifully decorated with flowers, among them being a pretty wreath from the county Conservative Association. The pall-bearers’ were: Harry Buchner, Dr. John L. Buchner (brothers of deceased), Ford, Warren and Charles Hill (nephews), and F.M. Hagar (brother-in-law).

Rev. A.E. Russ conducted the funeral service.