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Below is a family biography included in History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott, published by Iola Register, 1901.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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NAPOLEON B. BUCK was born in Fayette County, Indiana, February 19, 1837, and was a son of Harmon Buck. At an early age he went to McLain County, Illinois, where he secured employment as a farm hand and at the age of sixteen years was apprenticed to learn the printing trade in the office of the Bloomington Pantagraph, from which time until his death he was connected with the printing business, either as journeyman or journalist. He held an important position on the New York Tribune while its editor, Horace Greeley, was in the zenith of his fame and power. In 1882 he came to the west, locating in Yates Center, where he became associated with R. R. Wells in the publication of the Yates Center Argus. A few months later, purchasing the interest of his partner he gained full control of the paper. After a year or more had passed he sold the Argus and removed to Kansas City, where he remained for about a year; but in the summer of 1886 he returned to Yates Center, purchasing a half interest in the News and later becoming the possessor of the controlling interest. He ably conducted that paper until September, 1888, when he sold out and came to Toronto, he and his youngest son taking charge of the Republican, to the publication of which he devoted his energies until the afternoon preceding his death.

Napoleon B. Buck was married in New York city, August 25, 1863, to Margaret Mayne, and unto them were born five children: Edward, who is connected with the Alamogordo (N. M.) News; Charles A., Laura, wife of Jacob E. Taylor, of Yates Center; Mabel A., who died in infancy, and Lida A., wife of R. L. Maxson, of Toronto, Kansas.

The father of this family was one of the valued residents of Woodson County. As a citizen he was always actuated by the principles of loyality and patriotism and as a neighbor he was respected for his charitable and benevolent spirit. As an editor and publisher he considered his business interests from the beginning to be identical with every enterprise in the city and his trenchant pen was always ready to indite words of counsel and suggestions for the material interest of the community. Always brave under discouragements and hopeful under reverses, his example and influence have induced those around him to stand without wavering in the battle of life. On all questions of public policy, either political or moral, after due deliberation he took a firm stand and was persistent in the advocacy of what he considered to be right and just and for the best interest of all.

Charles A. Buck was born in St. Louis, Missouri, October 27, 1866; was educated in Nashville, Tennessee, and from early youth has been connected with the newspaper business, which he mastered both in principle and detail. He has been employed in newspaper offices in Evansville, Indiana, in Kansas City, Missouri; Cleveland, Ohio; New York City, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Topeka, Denver, Los Angeles. San Francisco, San Diego and Tucson and published the Mail in Winslow, Arizona, and the Review in San Bernardino. After the death of his father in 1894 he returned to Toronto, Kansas, and associated with his mother, continued the publication of the Republican, which, under their management has taken high rank among the newspapers in this portion of the state, he is also serving as postmaster, to which position he was appointed in April, 1897, entering upon the duties of the office on the 17th. of that month. And in April, 1808, he sold his interest to his mother who still conducts the office.

In April, 1896, in Kansas City, Missouri, Mr. Buck was married to Miss Allie Hodgeman, a daughter Frances E. Hodgeman, of Cleveland, Ohio, and in Toronto they have many friends who gladly extend to them the hospitality of their homes.

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This family biography is one of 204 biographies included in History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott, published by Iola Register, 1901, Iola, Kansas.  For the complete description, click here: Woodson County, Kansas History and Genealogy

View additional Woodson County, Kansas family biographies here: Woodson County, Kansas

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