My Genealogy Hound

Charles Ratcliffe Buckner, a successful legal practitioner at Fayetteville, Ark., was born in Hopkinsville, Ky., May 8, 1844, the son of George and Jane Critcher (Ratcliffe) Buckner (the former a lawyer by profession), and grandson of George and Annie (Madison) Buckner. George Buckner, Sr., was a native of Virginia and of old Virginia stock. He served in the Revolutionary War, and his wife was a niece of James Madison, President of the United States. George Buckner, Jr., was a man of undoubted integrity and loyalty, and as a representative for his district, opposed the secession of his State. Jane Critcher Ratcliffe was the daughter of Charles Ratcliffe, a physician by profession, and son of an important aid-de-camp to Washington in his struggle for Independence. Charles Ratcliffe Buckner grew to manhood In Hopkinsville, Ky., and March 22, 1862, he enlisted in Woodward’s squadron, Confederate Kentucky Cavalry, which was organized at that time in Tennessee, and afterward became known as Company A, First Kentucky Cavalry, and after its re­organization was known as Company A, Second Kentucky Cavalry. Mr. Buckner rendered honorable and active service until the close of the war. The first year he was in the quartermaster’s department of the regiment, but abandoned this for more active service during the latter years of the war. He was detailed as scout, and served in various capacities, taking great risks. After the war he attended school, and in the fall of 1865 he went south and made his home in New Orleans, engaged in clerical work, until January 1, 1868, when he came to Little Rock. In February of the same year he moved to Washington County, Ark. He read law while in New Orleans, under the preceptorship of Maj. Levey, a nephew of Judah P. Benjamin, and after coming to this county was admitted to the bar, and has practiced ever since. He was married in this county to Miss Nannie, the youngest daughter of Hon. David Walker. [See sketch elsewhere]. To Mr. and Mrs. Buckner were born three sons and a daughter: Jennie, George, Charles and Walker. Hr. Buckner would never accept any public positions, and has never been a member of any secret societies. Mrs. Buckner is a worthy member of the Baptist Church.