Samuel Buchanan (1832 - 1912)

Born 28 Mar 1832 in Binnawooda Townland, Tyrone, Ireland

Husband of Mary (Watson) Buchanan — married about 1856 in Elma Twp, Perth County, Ontario, Canada

Descendants

Died 25 Dec 1912 at age 80 in Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada

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This profile is part of the Buchanan Name Study.

Biography

Samuel was born in 1832. He passed away in 1912

. ARTICLE FROM NEEPAWA PRESS ABOUT SAMUEL BUCHANAN (Written in 1912, but I don't have the exact date)

Samuel Buchanan who was the second man to settle in the Neepawa District, just locating a year after Mr. Graham.

Mr. Buchanan was born in the North of Ireland 83 years ago (1829) and in l847 emigrated to Ontario, locating at Perth. During the next 23 years he lived chiefly in Ontario, although he made 2 trips to California and Nevada where he worked as a miner and lumberjack.

In 1878 he came west and securing a wagon and a team of oxen at Winnipeg, made a prospecting trip of 3 weeks, during which time he saw plenty of land, but thought none so good as that which he still owns 4 miles North of town (Neepawa).

Then, the nearest railroad was about 300 miles away, at Fisher's Landing. In 1882 he was joined by Mrs. Buchanan and family, and by that time the C. P, P. was constructed as far as Carberry.

In the early days elk were abundant here and the prairie chickens could be counted by the thousands, so that there was no lack of food. However, for the first few years there was no store closer than Portage La Prairie and prices were very high. The first store to locate in Neepawa was owned by Hamilton and Davidson, one of the partners now being mayor of the town.

When Mrs. Buchanan and family came west, Mr. Buchanan had a half section and his oldest son, being of age, homesteaded a quarter and purchased another at a dollar an acre. For the half section, which was then worth a dollar an acre, an offer of $17,000 cash was refused last fall, 1911.

In the days before the coming of the M. and N. W. railway, grain had to be hauled to Carberry, and only about 40 cents a bushel was received for it. Today 1912, with a market almost at the door about 90 cents a bushel is received for similar grain.

In 1885, the year of the rebellion, good prices were received for grain and produce; Mr. Buchanan getting $l.00 a bushel for his potatoes that year.

Mr. Buchanan always had great faith in the Province and believes that there is still no better land for the man who has good health and is willing to work.

About 1856 Mr. Buchanan married Mary Watson, and together they are in wonderfully good health. 7 children born of the marriage are alive today 1912, there being 1 daughter Mrs. Jas. Graham, and 6 sons, John, James, Samuel, William, Robert, and David. There are 35 grandchildren.

The old people do not live on the farm now, but own 5 acres across the tracks from the C.P.R. station where they keep a cow and some chickens and take life easily.

Mr. Buchanan is a firm believer in individual rights; also the duty of the individual to defend his rights. When C.P.R. [Canadian Pacific Railway] employees attempted to construct the Y on his property before he was paid for it, Mr. Buchanan came forth with a gun and ordered them to desist and they did. He contended that before be could get on a C.P.R. train he had to pay his way, or if he got on and did not pay his way he was promptly put off. Hence he claimed and exercised the same powers. The C.P.R. paid for his land before building the track.

This incident gives a fair index of the sturdy, fearless and straight forward character of the man. He toadies to nobody; respects all who are entitled to respect; gives and demands a square deal; and is an ever-ready helper to those in need,

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/132596283/samuel-buchanan
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 24 April 2020), memorial page for Samuel Buchanan (28 Mar 1832–25 Dec 1912), Find a Grave Memorial no. 132596283, citing Rosedale Cemetery, Neepawa, Western Manitoba Census Division, Manitoba, Canada ; Maintained by prairie girl (contributor 48363070) .
• Manitoba Vital Statistics Online registration of death Samuel Buchannan https://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/ REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1912-005866
• FamilySearch profile of Samuel Buchanan https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/vitals/KJCK-XDG