My Genealogy Hound

EVAN BUCHMAN. For about thirty-five years this gentleman has occupied a conspicuous and prominent position as one of the pioneers of the lumber trade at Easton. The planing mill conducted by him on Dock Street was started in the year 1857, with an extremely limited capital. In the year 1875 he built the mill now occupied on Ferry Street and at once removed his business thereto. He also owns a lumber-yard on Front Street, where he carries a fine and well selected stock, and has been sole proprietor of the concern since 1871.

Mr. Buchman was born in Lehigh County, July 6, 1826, and is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Hass) Buchman, the former of German descent. He was also a native of Lehigh County, and followed the life occupation of farming. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and took part in the siege of Baltimore, being a member of General Fogel’s brigade. His father was also a patriot and was a commissioned officer in the War of the Revolution. He was born in Lehigh County, and carried on his trade as a tailor for many years. When he passed from life his remains were placed to rest in the cemetery at Weisenburg. Our subject’s father was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. To himself and wife were born eleven children, eight of whom are still living.

Evan Buchman was brought up on a farm in the county of his birth and early learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for fourteen years. For about five years he conducted a cabinet business and then started in the planing-mill business in this city, as previously noted. This enterprise he carried on until 1885, when he sold out to Messrs. Steinmetz and Zearfoss. He was one of the originators of, and has held various positions in, the shoe factory company of this place, and was one of the first members of the Easton Board of Trade.

In the educational affairs of this city Mr. Buchman has always been very much interested, and was Supervisor of the new high school building. He is a stanch Republican and has served his party in many ways. Among his fellow-citizens he bears a high reputation as a man of honor and integrity, and they have often shown their confidence in him by choosing him to carry out their wishes and plans in regard to public improvements, in illustration of which it might be mentioned that he was one of the Commissioners during the construction of the water works. In religious belief he is a Lutheran, and for a number of years has been President of the Church Council. At the present time he has in the main retired from business, having ample means with which to pass in comfort his remaining years.

In 1861 Mr. Buchman married Annie M., daughter of John Peterson, of this city. Three children, daughters, have graced their union, namely: Sarah E., wife of William M. Semple, whose home is in Easton; Fannie B., who died at the age of thirteen years; and Annie F. The family have a pleasant home and are surrounded with evidences of culture and refined taste. In all respects Mr. Buchman is entitled to the highest credit for his earnest and useful life, and may properly be regarded as a self-made man.