Thomas Buck. Among the intelligent and thrifty farmers of Champaign County one whose name belongs high on the list is Mr. Thomas Buck of section 28, Compromise Township.
Mr. Buck has spent most of his active life in Champaign County, but was born in Warren County, this state, a son of Eli and Catherine (Hogan) Buck. His father was born in Vermont and his mother in Ireland. When Thomas was four months old the parents moved to Champaign County, locating south of Gifford, where the children were all educated in the public schools.
Thomas Buck grew up to industrious habits and responsible manhood and at the age of twenty-seven married Sarah Graham. She was born in Logan County, Illinois, and her father, Abraham Graham, was among the early settlers of the state. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Buck started life as farmers in section 28, south of Penfield, and here their work has been tested and the best fruits of their lives realized. They have a splendid farm of 166 acres, an attractive home, and have done much to beautify the land and render it homelike as well as valuable for farming purposes. Mr. Buck’s parents in their later years moved to Penfield, and his father died there, widely recognized as one of the good citizens and kind neighbors of Champaign County.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Buck were born nine children: Francis, Joseph, Arthur, Edward, Harold, James, Charles, Mary and Helen. They made up a household of bright, energetic young people, and this is one of the households which has contributed most generously to the new National American Army, since three of the sons have enrolled as soldiers, Francis, Joseph and Arthur. Joseph graduated from the Penfield High School and afterward spent one year at St. Victor’s College at Bourbonnais, Illinois. From college he returned home and began a career as a farmer, having rented land. Francis Buck married Stella Collins, is a farmer living at Gerald, and has one son, Joseph Francis.
Mr. and Mrs. Buck are active members of the Penfield Catholic Church and are among its liberal supporters. In his political views Mr. Buck is a Democrat, and is a man whose record in Compromise Township well entitles him to the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. He has been a member of the school board and wherever possible has exerted his influence in behalf of good schools, good roads and other improvements. He and his wife are active members of the Hibernian lodge at Penfield.