John J. Buchanan Biography, Genesee County, Michigan This Biography extracted from “Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan…”, published be Chapman Bros., Chicago (1892), p. 965 This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. *********************************************************************** ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** PROF. JOHN J. BUCHANAN is professor of the different branches as taught in the fifth and sixth grades of the Michigan school for the deaf. He was born in White Pigeon, St. Joseph County, this State, June 29, 1849. He is a deaf mute, though born of speaking and hearing parents. He is, however, a highly educated and interesting gentleman, thoroughly well informed on all topics of interest of the day. He is, moreover, a skilled mechanic and one of the highly-esteemed citizens of Flint. Our subject's father, James Buchanan, was a native of Waterloo, Seneca County, N. Y., and his grandsire, Samuel Buchanan, a farmer in Lockport, Niagara County, N. Y. The family belong to the same branch as did ex-President James Buchanan. Our subject's father, who was a merchant tailor, in early days settled in St. Joseph County, Mich., cutting his way into the woods. There he located and followed his trade. In 1832 he enlisted in the Black Hawk War and served as a private. He held many offices in White Pigeon, and was Township Treasurer for many years. He died at his home, November 28, 1878, being then seventy-two years of age. Our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Jane Masterman, was born in Fedon, Yorkshire, England, April 28, 1813. Her father, John, brought his family to America in 1831 and located in White Pigeon, where he engaged in wagon-making and made for himself the reputation of being the first and finest wagon-maker ever in that county. Our Subject's mother still resides at her home. She had five children, all of whom are living and of these Prof. John Buchanan is the third eldest child. He was reared at his home until 1862. In 1861, when the soldiers were encamped at White Pigeon, he haunted the camp and was ready to do any service, such as washing the dishes, for which the soldiers gladly paid him. In 1862 he entered the Michigan school for the deaf at Flint and continued his studies until graduating in 1869, developing marked ability in the classics. He also spent some time in learning cabinet- making and became a skilled workman. After graduation Prof. Buchanan was immediately employed as a teacher and has for the past twenty-three years been so engaged, being in charge of the fifth and sixth grades of the school. His present home is located at No. 504 West Court Street and is presided over by his intelligent wife. They were married in Fenton, July 30, 1874, the lady being Miss Clarissa A. Penn, the youngest daughter of Morris W. Penn, who was born in Maryland but who came as an early settler to Corunna, Shiawassee County. The Penns are lineal descendants of the Quaker lawmaker and first Governor of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan are the parents of three children whose names are Arthur Percy, Bertrand Penn and Aida Hoagland, all of whom can hear, and are bright and intelligent and speak fluently., Our subject is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Republican.