James Albert Buchanan

BUCHANAN, J. A.- J.A. Buchanan died at his home on Cane Hill at 5:30 o’clock Friday afternoon after a lingering illness of an affliction of the heart. The burial took place in the Cane Hill cemetery 3 o’clock Saturday. Deceased was born and reared in the neighborhood where he died and was about 65 years of age. He was a son of Rev. John Buchanan, one of the pioneer preachers of Washington County. J.A. Buchanan joined the Cumberland Presbyterian church in early life and was a man of deep religious convictions, as was exemplified in his daily walk and conversation. As a citizen he was upright, public spirited and charitable. As a Confederate soldier he was true and brave. As an official he was honest, faithful and efficient. He was a man of positive convictions and of noble impulses and was of one of the oldest and best families in this section of the State. He leaves a widow and five children. [Benton County Democrat 12/22/1904]

James Albert Buchanan, deceased December 9, 1905, was born February 16, 1845 at Washington County, Arkansas, the son of John Buchanan of Lincoln County, Tennessee who lived at Cane Hill and was one of the pioneer ministers of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Arkansas. He was the son of Thomas Buchanan. Maiden name of subject’s mother was Ellen Crawford. He was educated in the country schools and at Cane Hill College. He was county surveyor of Washington County, Arkansas for many years, was a Democrat, a Cumberland Presbyterian elder clerk of session and a Mason. He served in the 34th Arkansas Infantry. He married Mrs. Susan Emiline Williams, daughter of Johnathan Clark and his wife Manerva Hinson, who lived at Mt. Comfort, Washington County, Arkansas. Date of marriage was September 12, 1869 and their children were Walter H. Buchanan, Mrs. Maud Bush, Mrs. Mary Pyeatt, all of Cane Hill, Mrs. Florence Moore of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Herbert E. Buchanan of Knoxville, Tennessee. [1911 Arkansas Confederate Census]

James A. Buchanan died at the home of his son, Walter Buchanan, at Cane Hill, Friday evening, December 9th. He was born and reared near Cane Hill and was 61 years of age. He is from a line of people who have been a great stay to Northwest Arkansas, being a son of Rev. John Buchanan, one of the pioneer preachers of Washington County. Mr. Buchanan joined the Cumberland Presbyterian Church when ten years of age, and was a man of deep religious convictions, and when the end came death had no terror for him. He had a brilliant record as a Confederate soldier and was an honored member of the Prairie Grove Camp of Confederate Veterans. The funeral services were held Sunday morning from the College Chapel at Cane Hill, conducted by Rev. Earle. The body was taken charge of by his old comrades and the Masonic fraternity, who conducted their burial rites at the grave. [Prairie Grove Herald 12/15/1904]

In Memory of Comrade J.A. Buchanan – Comrade J.A. Buchanan was born February 15th, 1844. He entered the Confederate army early in the war, entering Company B, 34 Regiment of Arkansas Infantry, and served faithfully in the same until the close of the war. The soldier that unflinchingly obeys every command of his officers and endures cheerfully all the hardships and dangers of such a war as the Confederate States of America endured for four years, deserves the highest honors ever conferred upon a soldier. Such honors are due to our departed comrade. In addition to this when ten years of age he entered the army of the Kingdom of God, under our great Captain General, the Lord Jesus Christ and served in his army for fifty years, striving always to have a conscience void of offense toward God and man. On December 10, 1904 the Captain General called him home and with a joyful heart he laid down his armor and entered into his everlasting rest and peace where war and strife shall be no more. To the bereaved family and friends and all the comrades left behind we recommend to you all, the words of comfort given by our Captain General to all that are bereaved, “Believe in me.” This is the great panacea for all the ills of this life. Comrades let us enter this our testimony to comrade J.A. Buchanan upon our record that it may fill its place in the history of our Southland, and also furnish a copy to the county papers and the bereaved family. (Signed) J.T. Buchanan, Thomas J. Campbell, W.P. Patterson – Committee [Prairie Grove Herald 1/12/1905]

The Sunday School of the White Church, on Cane Hill, have adopted the following memorial upon the death of Mr. J.A. Buchanan. J.A. Buchanan was born February 15, 1844, and became a member of the church in 1854, and lived a consistent member unto his death December 9, 1904. He became a leading member of White Church Sunday School in 1873. Whereas it has pleased the Grand Architect of the Universe in His infinite wisdom, to call to his final rest our esteemed Bro. Buchanan, therefore be it Resolved, First that although we bow with humble submission to the wise and overruling Providence, yet we deplore the loss of our beloved Brother. Resolved, 2nd. That in the death of Bro. Buchanan the church has lost a faithful member, the Sunday School a consistent worker, His family a kind husband and indulgent father, and the community a good and benevolent citizen, who was always ready to administer to the wants of the sick and afflicted. We therefore tender our sincere sympathy to the bereft and afflicted family of our deceased Brother, and say unto them “weep not as those who have no hope, but trust in Him who protects the widow and fatherless, and He will not forsake you.” Resolved, 3rd. That a copy of these resolutions be spread on a memorial page of our Sunday School minutes, and a copy to the family of the deceased. (Signed G.W. Drummond, L. Brewster, C. Crawford – Committee [Prairie Grove Herald 6/8/1905]

Mrs. Sue Buchanan, widow of J.A. Buchanan, who died December 9, 1904, filed Widow Application #21755 with the Confederate Pension Board of Washington County for a Confederate widow pension and is was received as being allowed August 13, 1919 at the State, citing her husband’s service in Company B, 34thArkansas Infantry from 1862 thru 1865. [State of Arkansas Confederate Pension Archives]