Contra Costa County Biography

WILLIAM J. BUCHANAN

Transcribed by Sally Kaleta, December, 2006.

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


William J. Buchanan is one of the representative business men of Contra Costa 
County and is at the head of one of Pittsburg's business houses that dates its 
origin from a time when Pittsburg was a mere country village twenty years ago. 
The general store of William J. Buchanan since its foundation has been in the 
hands of a progressive, far-sighted, and able man, under whose direction it has 
advanced to its present large proportions. The store was founded in 1896. Mr. 
Buchanan was born at New York Landing, now Pittsburg, on September 11, 1867, a 
son of William and Katharine Buchanan. His father was a native of Scotland, and 
came to America in the '50s, locating in Placer County, where he followed 
mining. He removed to Contra Costa County in 1866, locating in Antioch, where he 
remained for two years. In 1867 he removed to the county near Pittsburg, where 
he took up farming, which vocation he has always followed. He died in 1904. Mr. 
Buchanan's mother was a native of Scotland. His folks married in Rochester, New 
York, and came west. His mother died on January 14, 1910. There were two 
children in the parents' family, the subject of this sketch and Jennie, born 
July 16, 1863, the wife of James Syme, a native of Scotland, and who  resides on 
the home ranch. William J. Buchanan received his education in the public schools 
and the Stockton business college. Finishing his education, he returned to the 
home farm, where he was actively engaged until 1896, when he entered the 
mercantile business. In 1905 he erected his present commodious building. Mr. 
Buchanan is affiliated with the Republican party. Fraternally, he is a member of 
the Masonic order of Pittsburg, the I. O. O. F. of Antioch, and holds membership 
in Diamond Parlor of the Native Sons, the Knights of Pythias, and the Eagles 
lodge of Pittsburg. Mr. Buchanan was united in marriage to Nora Carroll, a 
native of Portland, Oregon, January 4, 1893, a daughter of William and Mary 
(Keefe) Carroll. To this union there are two children - Warren G., born May 11, 
1898, and Norine, born October 28, 1900. Mr. Buchanan is a stockholder and 
vice-president of the Contra Costa Bank of Pittsburg. Mrs. Buchanan for fourteen 
years was postmistress of the Black Diamond post-office, and she obtained the 
highest reputation for ability and faithfulness during her long term in office. 
Mr. Buchanan served as Wells Fargo agent here for sixteen years, thus showing 
the interest he took in his company who entrusted its affairs to him.
 
Source: "The  History of Contra Costa County, California", Elms Publ. Co., 1917, 
pp. 519-520.