Bio: Buker, Fred Harmon Conrad (History - 1840)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: BUKER REINEKING SCHAPER STEIGER DECKER

----Source: "THE History of Clark County, Wisconsin", Compiled by: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge, Printed by: H. C. Cooper, Jr. Co. 1918, Pg.432-433


FRED HARMON CONRAD BUKER

Fred Harmon Conrad Buker, a progressive and successful farmer of Section 19, Warner Township, of which township he is one of the leading citizens, was born in Germany Sept. 13, 1840, son of Harmon and Caroline (Reineking) Buker. When he was 7 years old his parents came to the United States, accompanied by their children, one of whom, Catherine, died on the voyage and was buried at sea. They settled on 160 acres of wooded land in Harman township, Sheboygan County, Wis., sixteen other families settling there at the same time. A large log house was built by Mr. Reineking, one of the party, and in that abode five families, including that of Harmon Buker, lived the first winter.

In the spring Mr. Buker built a log house, 28 by 30 feet, in which he and his family took up their residence. They had to cut their own road to the place, and at first had nothing to work with but their hands. Here, Harmon Buker and his wife spent the rest of their lives, and in course of time developed a good homestead. Fred H. C. Buker was 21 years old when the Civil War broke out. In the following year, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, 27th Wisconsin Volunteers, with which organization he served three years, being mustered out Aug. 28, 1865. Being a good shot, he was often called upon to do scout duty, the colonel of the regiment attaching him to his person in confidential capacity for special service. His marksmanship was afterwards often demonstrated in Clark County at turkey and goose "shoots," and gave him fame throughout the county. He served in every battle in which his regiment took part, and came out of the war without a scratch indeed, it was a favorite joke in his company that he could not be killed. After the war he farmed on his father's place until 1873, in which year he came to Clark County, making the journey overland by wagon to Neillsville and hauling 2,700 pounds in freight.

December, 1865, he had married Charlotte Schaper, a native of Germany, and she and their two children, Fred and Edwin, came by train. George, another son, was born in Clark County, and now resides on the homestead in Warner township. It was in this later township that Fred Buker located, taking a tract of land of 160 acres in Section 24. The tract was covered with woods and Mr. Buker had to cut his own road to the place. On the land stood an old log building, but Mr. Buker soon erected a new one 26 by 28 feet in size, and in the second year he built a barn of logs, 32 by 72 feet. There he and his family resided for two years. At the end of that time he secured a 200-acre tract in Section 19, it being all covered with woods and reached only by a trail. There was a log house and barn on the place and part of one of the forty-acre tracts of which it was composed had been cleared. To his land Mr. Buker has since added forty acres more, making it into a 280-acre farm. With his own hands Mr. Buker cleared 130 acres of the farm in eight years, and during those winters worked in the lumber woods. He has since built a fine, large house and barn, 44 by 120 feet, which latter, however, burned down, with the loss of a bull and quantity of grain. To make good the loss of the barn he has erected another, measuring 44 by 100 feet, and also a silo, since built by his son, George, and is conducting a good business as a general farmer. For may years mr. Buker had been one of the prominent citizens of Warner Township, serving as chairman of its board for seven or eight years, and for nine years as assessor. It was also he who instituted the movement that resulted in the building of an iron bridge across Black River. His religious affiliations are with the reformed Church, which he helped to build, and of which he has been deacon and one of the most active workers. He has also served efficiently as a member of the school board. Mr. Buker's wife died in 1909, at the age of 86 years. In addition to the children already mentioned, they had two daughters born in Warner Township--Emelia, now Mr. H. Decker, Of Warner Township and Bertha now Mrs. John Steiger.

Sept. 22, 1904--Greenwood Gleaner, Locals Column:
Fred Buker of the west side had the misfortune Saturday evening to have his big barn, one of the first basement barns in this part of the country, struck by lightning and burned to the ground, together with about 1000 bushels of oats and some other grain besides about 100 tons of hay. The only stock burned were two calves. A team of horses were in the barn when the fire started but the good work of the hired man, Jacob Strauss, saved these. Had the fire occurred a few moments later all the milch cows would have been inside also. Though it rained in torrents in many places that evening it hardly laid the dust in the Buker section and it was a hard fight to save the house and other buildings belonging to Mr. Buker. Only $800 insurance was carried at the time.

Military

Contributors

Marcus Buker, Stan & Janet Schwarze and Ken Wood.

Related Links

Fred Buker's Civil War Memories

Fred Buker is also featured in the book, "Civil War Soldiers in the heart of Clark Co., Wisconsin"