Frederick Bucher ^{1 2}

  Noted events in his life were:

• Census, 1860, Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. ² Frederick Bucher, clerk, 29, was living with wife Louisa, 20. He was born in Wittenberg, she in Pennsylvania.

• Census, 1880, Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. ³ Frederick Bucher, groceryman, 49, was living with wife Louisa, 39. He and his parents were born in Wurtemburg, she and the children in Pennsylvania. With them: Freddie, 12; Melea, 10; Wellie, 7, and Mary, 18. Also, Anna Meisenbach, 17, servant.

• Book: Biographical Annals of Lancaster County on page 576, 1903. ^{1 4} FREDERICK BUCHER. In reviewing the lives of successful men the keynote that has gained fame and confidence for them is not uncommonly sought. Some men win as plodders, others by dash and brilliancy. In his earlier life, at least, Frederick Bucher was a man of action. He possessed the courage to choose for himself, to create opportunities rather than to become their creation, and this faculty, with his keen sagacity, has contributed immensely to his success. As one of the wealthiest, most prosperous citizens of Columbia, a brief outline of his career is especially interesting.

Mr. Bucher was born in Deggingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, Sept. 18, 1830, son of Joseph Maximilian and Barbara (Bernauer) Bucher, and was well educated in his youth in his native town. His father was a prosperous merchant, and at fifteen Frederick entered the paternal dry-goods store and grocery as a clerk. A year later he assumed the management of a carbonic spring, the property of his father, located at Ditzenbach, near Deggingen. Here he remained six years, gaining a knowledge of business and men which has stood him in good stead in the varied business interests in which he has since engaged.

In 1852 Mr. Bucher's name, with many others, was placed in the "army wheel," but the drawing of Deggingen's recruits was completed without his name appearing in the lists, he having drawn a number which cleared him from military service.

In the fall of the following year he sailed for the new world beyond the sea, where he hoped to build a home for himself, make new friends, and a fortune, all of which he has realized beyond his most sanguine expectations. Landing at New York, he did not at once find occupation which suited, the offer of a clerkship at eighteen dollars a month being the best that was offered him. Visiting an acquaintance in Philadelphia, he found desirable employment in that city also beyond his reach.

Learning that George Tille, whom he had known at Deggingen, resided in Columbia, the ambitious young man started for that borough, which he reached in the winter of 1853. Mr. Tille was a clerk in the hardware store of Jonas Rumple, and there the newly arrived emigrant started up the ladder of success in America. For seven months he remained with Mr. Rumple, and at the end of that time accepted a better position with Henry Pfahler, also a hardware merchant of the borough, with whom he remained seven years.

In 1858, deciding to seek his fortunes in the far West, he resigned his position with Mr. Pfahler and started overland for California. In the vicinity of Salt Lake City their camp, consisting of fifteen men, was suddenly attacked one evening by Indians. There was a vigorous defense, which gradually slackened until Mr. Bucher and one other man were the only survivors of the party. Favored by the darkness which had come on during the fighting they fled and made good their escape.

Mr. Bucher finally reached New Orleans, but finding that the city was suffering from an epidemic of yellow fever, he decided to give it a wide berth, and shipped on a vessel for Havana. However, the vessel was not allowed to land, as several cases of smallpox had developed on board.

He then returned to Columbia, via New York City, and re-entered the employ of Mr. Pfahler. He became owner in a patented stove, but in 1859 the patterns were destroyed by fire and he had no means to pay for new ones, consequently the stove enterprise proved a clear failure. This, however, was Mr. Bucher's first and only financial failure, and resulted in his staying with Mr. Pfahler as a clerk two years longer.

In 1861 he accepted a position in the hardware store of J. W. Cottrell, with whom and his successors he remained five years. In 1866 he started in the grocery and hardware business for himself at the corner of Fourth and Locust Streets, Columbia, which he continued successfully for twenty years. He also became largely interested in real estate in Columbia, and is now one of the most extensive real-estate owners there, in addition to other property, owning over fifty residences. He is a practical builder, and his houses have been constructed under his direct supervision.

In politics Mr. Bucher is a Republican, and has always given his party a hearty and liberal support. He was elected a member of the borough council in 1884, and the following year served as its president. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F., having joined Susquehanna Lodge, No. 80, in 1856, and has passed through all the chairs; of the A. O. M. P., with which he has been affiliated since 1874, and in which organization he has also filled all the executive offices; and of Lancaster Lodge, No. 134, B. P. O. E. As president of the Columbia Rod and Gun Club he has ably served that society, and is still one of its most enthusiastic and prominent supporters.

On Sept. 13, 1862, Mr. Bucher enlisted in company A, 2d P. V. I., and went with his regiment to Chambersburg, where it remained until Sept. 18th, when it went to Hagerstown, and thence three miles out in the Williamsport road, where it formed in line of battle and remained there twenty-four hours. It then moved a mile farther and went into camp, but the same evening started for Greencastle, taking cars for Harrisburg, where Mr. Bucher, with the rest of the regiment, was mustered out of the service Sept. 25th. In 1863 Mr. Bucher was the eighth man drafted in the army from the First ward of Columbia, but secured exemption, as the ward filled the quota. As a subsequent draft in the same year, his name was again the eighth to be drawn, and this time he paid $300 for exemption.

In addition to his mercantile and real-estate interests, Mr. Bucher has been prominently identified with a number of successful business enterprises. For years he has been a director of the Keeley Stove Works, of Columbia, and for a time served as treasurer of the Columbia Laundry Machine Co. He was also for a good many years treasurer of the New York Building & Loan Association.

Mr. Bucher has been an enthusiastic traveler, having visited Europe, Canada, the West Indies, and all parts of the United States. In 1880 he made an extended trip though Europe, revisiting his old home, and meeting his mother and three sisters, from whom he had long been separated. Two brothers had followed him to America, Christian in 1853, and Max in 1858, now both deceased.

Mr. Bucher is one of the wealthiest citizens of Columbia, but has not, however, forgotten the Christian precepts of his early training, and the Golden Rule has guided his life. He has been generous in the distribution of his means for the public good. A kind and loving father and husband, a faithful and efficient public official, honest and just to his fellowmen, he ranks as one of Columbia's most prominent and influential citizens. He is actively interested in the affairs of life, and his beautiful home on Locust street, opposite the city park, contains a well selected library and many curios of interest. His disposition is companionable and genial, his observations keen and practical, and few men are better liked for their individual worth and personal character.

In 1860 Mr. Bucher married Miss Louisa Bartsch, daughter of Michael Bartsch, of Chestnut Hill, Lancaster county, and to this union have been born four children, viz.: Mary, who resides at home; Frederick C., who is a practicing physician in Columbia, and married Miss Estella Brant; Emilie, who married Dr. J. W. Grove, and resides in Columbia; and William, a druggist in Columbia, where he has two fine drug stores.

Frederick married Louisa Bartsch in 1860 in , Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA.¹ (Louisa Bartsch was born about 1841 in , , Pennsylvania, USA ³ and died in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA.)