Chester C. Buck  

History of Marshall County, Indiana 1836 to 1880 by Daniel McDonald, (printed in Chicago by Kingman Brothers, Lakeside Building, 1881)

The subject of this biography is the senior member of the firm of Buck and Toan, a prosperous mercantile firm of the city of Plymouth. He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., on the 31st day of March, 1836

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He received a primary education in the common schools of his native county, finishing with a course at the seminary at Whitestown, N.Y. In 1852, he accompanied his father’s family to Brockport, N. Y. and accepted employment in a lumber yard at that point. But he had conceived ideas of a business life at an early age, and could not be content with a laborer's position. In the fall of 1852, he entered the hardware store of F. J. Buck & Co., at Adrian, Mich., and for three years acted in the capacity of book-keeper and salesman for that house. His career from this date was steadily upward. At the end of the three years, he accepted the position of teller in the banking house of L. G. Berry & Co., at Adrian, a position which he filled with ability, and from which he was compelled to retire, four years later, on account of impaired health. A short time subsequently, he entered into copartnership relations with Charles E. TOAN, of Adrian, Mich., and in 1859 the hardware house of Buck & Toan was established at Plymouth. In the hands of enterprising and energetic men, the subsequent success of this firm was assured, and time has verified the predictions of their friends to that effect. To their extensive hardware trade they added, in the winter of 1869-70, a general banking and exchange business, and also engaged extensively in the sale of agricultural implements and wagons. They have the largest business rooms in the city, and enjoy a very liberal share of the public patronage.

Personally, Mr. Buck has made himself popular in this community by his generous traits of character. He is a quiet man, free from ostentation, but possessing quick perceptive powers, with a strong will. He is firm in his adherence tothe right as he sees it, and bold in his advocacy of a principle. This was illustrated in his early ife, when while yet a mere boy, he studied the question of human slavery, and became a radical Abolitionist. At elections, he spent his time working in the interest of the champions of that cause, and when he became a voter, cast his own ballot for the candidates of that party. He has since been identified with the Republican party. While never a seeker after political preferment, he has several times been called to fill public trusts. In 1862, he was appointed Deputy United States Internal Revenue Collector for this (then the Ninth) district, and occupied that position until after the death of President Lincoln. In 1867, he was elected a member of the City Council of Plymouth, serving one year, and in 1877 was elected member of the School Board of this city, in which capacity he still continues to act. He has long been identified with the Masonic Lodge and Commandery of this City, as well as with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is interested in all public enterprises, and has contributed largely to the public welfare of Marshall County.

He was married, in 1857, to Miss Mary W. TOAN, at Adrian, Mich. Five sons blessed this happy union, viz., Ira D., Edgar D., Harry E., C. Herbert, and Frank C., of which number Edgar D. is deceased

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Chester Covel Buck born in Oneida County, N. Y., on the 31st day of March, 1836 and died 18 Feb 1897 - La Porte, Indiana son of Chester C Buck, and Sarah Briggs

He married 18 Feb 1897 - at Adrian, Lenawee, Michigan or La Porte, Indiana Mary White Toan born 21 Aug 1835 in Union Springs, Cayuga, New York and died 16 Feb 1891 in Plymouth, Marshall, Indiana daughter of Charles G Toan and Harriet Helen Mosher

Five sons blessed this happy union, viz.,

Ira D. Buck born 23 Apr 1858 in Michigan and died 05 Jan 1937 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois ; m. abt 1879 Charlotte M. Perry born Jan 1857 Michigan probably daughter of Albert Perry & Maria [-?-]

Edgar Dwight Buck born 30 September 1859 in Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana and died 18 april 1860 in Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana

Harry Eugene Buck born Oct 1861 in Plymouth, Marshall, Indiana; married 1892 Florence A. [-?-] b. abt 1865

Charles Herbert Buck born 12 Feb 1863 in Plymouth, Marshall, Indiana and died Jan 1922 in St Marys, Elk, Pennsylvania; married 25 Oct 1888 - Plymouth, Marshall, Indiana Anna Belle Hill born 29 Jun 1865 in Plymouth, Marshall, Indiana daughter of William W. Hill and Joanna Angerman

Frank Covel Buck born 12 Jan 1865 in Plymouth, Marshall, Indiana, USA Death 05 Jan 1912 ; married 10 May 1909 - Chicago, Cook, Illinois Eugenia S. "Jeanne" (Jeane S.) Oglesbee born 1863 daughter of Nathan Haines Oglesbee and Lydia Ann Dolittle