Alexander Buchanan

ID # 4322, (1830-1916)
FatherAlexander Buchanan (1796-1888)
MotherElizabeth Leece (1802-1841)
BirthAlexander Buchanan was born on 18 July 1830 at Branchton, Dumfries Township, Gore District. 
BaptismHe was baptized on 19 November 1834 at First Church, Galt. 
MarriageHe married Margaret Stewart, daughter of Thomas Stewart and Hannah Smith, on 24 June 1858 at South Dumfries, Brant Co., Canada West.
MS248 reel 5, Vol. 1, page 3, No. 3
Brant County Marriage Register

Return of Marriages Solemnized by Rev'd John Dunbar, a Minister of the United Presbyterian Church, for the year ending 31st day of December, A.D. 1858
(the handwriting on the registration is in places difficult)


Alexander Buchanan, 27, residing Kansas Territory, USA, born North Dumfries. Parents Alex and Elizabeth Buchanan.
Margaret Stewart, 22, born and residing South Dumfries.
Parents Thomas and Hannah.
Witnesses James Potter of North Dumfries and Andrew Stewart of South Dumfries.
On 24 June, 1858.

An 1860 almanac does record John Dunbar as a minister of the United Presbyterian Church in Brant County. As is common with these registrations, the exact location of the marriage is not given, but was probably at the residence of the family of the bride.
 
DeathHe died on 2 January 1916 at Galt, Waterloo Co., Ontario, at age 85. 
BurialHe was buried at Section 2, Mountview Cemetery, Galt. 
NoteBaptism information for Alexander Buchanan and several siblings is taken from microfilm LCM-30, First United Church Records, Baptisms 1833-1852.
The Buchanan siblings appear to have been baptised at First Church in Galt, at the time a Presbyterian Church, in two batches. Four were baptised on November 5th, 1834, and five on November 19th, though the date in the margin is almost obscure. This appears on microfilm LCM-30 which is to be found at the United Church of Canada Archives. (A perpetual calendar shows both of these dates as a Wednesday.)

It's interesting to note that at the time of Alex's marriage his residence is given as Kansas Territory. He didn't remain there, for he settled in Galt at some point.

The marriage registration gives Alex's birth place as North Dumfries, but at the time Alex was born there was no north or south to Dumfries. It was one township. The first three or four children of Alex Buchanan Sr. and Betsy Leece were born in Galt, but the rest were born in or around Branchton.

The birth dates for Alexander and Margaret are taken from the 1901 census at Galt.

Alex lived on Spruce Street, next to High Park, and he had built the statue and fountain to commemorate the fact that High Park had been the First Church Presbyterian Cemetery.

At the time of the 1881 census, Alex and Margaret are living in South Dumfries. He is said to be a farmer. Their ages are given as 50 and 45 respectively. No children are shown with them.

In his will (#6489, MS1611, Waterloo County), Alex left a substantial amount to First Presbyterian Church in Galt. The remainder of his estate was divided among: Flora McMillan of Galt, his housekeeper; James R. Buchanan, brother, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Augustus Buchanan, brother, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mary McArthur (daughter of Jane), niece, location not given; Andrew B. Scott, nephew, of Galt; Harvey (Harvie) Buchanan, nephew, of Galt.

Andrew Burnett Scott was the son of Andrew Scott and Hannah Stewart of South Dumfries. It would appear that he was a nephew by was of Alex's wife's sister.

Death reg. 034256-16 Galt, Waterloo Co.
Alexander Buchanan died January 2, 1916, at Galt. Age 85. Born N. Dumfries. Residing Galt. Gentleman. Widower. Father Alex Buchanan. Physician Dr. Wardlaw. Informant Allen & Ray (undertakers). 
Last Edited28 Jul 2019