My Genealogy Hound

William A. Buckner, prominently identified with the material interests of Pike County as planter, is a native of Tennessee, born in Giles County, June 4, 1835. His parents, Thomas C. and Elizabeth (Merrill) Buckner, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, respectively, had a family of six children, viz.: James C., William A., Roland W., John W., Luther C. and Abner. The father was a farmer by occupation. In 1828 he emigrated from Kentucky to Tennessee, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1840, his widow following in 1865. He took quite a prominent interest in the establishment of churches, schools and society. At the time of his death he was serving as clerk of Giles County. He and wife were both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch was reared in Tennessee, receiving a liberal education in Mississippi and Kentucky. After finishing his education he began traveling. He traveled all over the country, then went to Europe, and was located at Liverpool for some time. He then returned to the United States, coming to Arkansas, where he accepted a position in the mail service of the country. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army, under Gen. Price, in Company I, Gates’ regiment, and in his first battle was wounded by having two fingers shot off of his left hand. He was at Galveston, Tex., when his regiment surrendered. December 24, 1866, he was married to Miss Delia Crosby, a native of Pennsylvania, who bore him four children, viz.: Elizabeth (deceased), William (deceased), Maryland (deceased) and Victoria (deceased), and died in 1878. He afterward married Mrs. Emily (Wingfield) Kirkham, nee Wesson, and by her has one child, John M. By her first marriage to Mr. Wingfield, Mrs. Buckner is the mother of one child, Henry C., and by her second marriage to Mr. Kirkham, she is the mother of three children: Joseph, Ida E. and Quincy. Mr. Buckner resides in Missouri Township, where he owns 280 acres of good land, with forty acres under cultivation. Both he and wife are members of the Christian Church.