Claude R. Buckmaster

Claude Raymond Buckmaster and his wife, Irene Amber Durham, moved from Defiance, Ohio, to W. Maumee Avenue, Napoleon, Ohio, Henry County, in June, 1926.

The son of Henry E. and G. Elizabeth Donley Buckmaster, Claude was born June 10, 1901, in Brunersbury, Ohio. After age four, he lived with his grandparents, Andrew and Sarah (Funk) Buckmaster, on a farm near Brunersburg, Ohio. They moved to Defiance, Ohio, in 1910. Claude attended Brunersburg School, Defiance Northside and Central School, and was a member of the Baptist Church. As a young man he played trumpet in the Defiance Elks Band,and with Bud Widmer and Harmon Rhody's Rube Bands. He was employed by the city of Napoleon Electric Light Department for forty-three years as meter reader, lineman, and later served as superintendent of the electric distribution system.

Irene A. Durham was born on March 11, 1904, on a farm in Pauding County, Ohio, one of eleven children of George F. and Ida (Yount) Durham. She attended the Gurwell School, Defiance County and Defiance High School. She was employed at the Woolworth's Store in Defiance until her marriage to Claude Buckmaster on December 23, 1922.

Two of their children were born in Defiance: Elizabeth M. and Charles R. Elizabeth was born on January 1, 1924. Elizabeth (Betty) owned the Betty Dress Shop for over 12 years — she attended Defiance College, summer school and evening classes from 19481951. She married Austin Tuttle on November 18, 1951. They have two children, Nancy L. and Austin, Jr. Charles R. Buckmaster was born on February 13, 1925. He was in the Merchant Marines briefly, later joining the U.S. Army, serving in the Medical Corps during World II. He attended Defiance College and the University of Toledo. He married Elvira Gerken on June 14, 1952, and their children are Mary, Mark, Judy, Janet, Carol and Ellen. They live in New Carlisle, Ohio. Charles is the foreman of the electrical department at Wright State University.

Nine other children were born in Napoleon: Maxine L. on June 28, 1926. She graduated at Maumee Valley Hospital School of Nursing in Toledo, Ohio and attended Defiance College. On March 17, 1956, she married Ned E. Grogg and she is the mother of three daughters, Jane, Robin, and Patricia. She is on the staff at Northcrest Nursing Home, Napoleon, Ohio.

Margaret Jane was born January 8, 1928. She graduated from Defiance College and taught school in Pettisville, Ohio, and Beech Grove, Indiana. She married Marvin Schroer on September 23, 1956, and their children are Kathy, Sheila, Bradley and Scott. She is a substitute teacher at Union City, Indiana, which is their home community at this time.

Norman Jean was born January 27, 1929, and passed away April 4, 1931. She is buried at Independence Cemetery, Defiance County, Ohio.

Donald L. was born May 20, 1930. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. On January 7, 1954, he and Norman Nohl were married. They have lived in Tempe, Arizona, since 1963 and have one daughter, Noel Lee. Don is an electrician in the Phoenix, Arizona Public School System.

Ida F. Buckmaster was born August 28, 1931. She graduated from Maumee Valley Hospital School of Nursing, Toledo, Ohio. She also attended the University of Toledo and Defiance College. She was the Henry County health nurse from 1956 to 1969. She is now employed as an R.N. at North-crest Nursing Home, Napoleon, Ohio.

Patricia A. was born June 20, 1933, graduated from Maumee Valley Hospital School of Nursing. She married Larry Knepley on November 6, 1954, and they reside near McClure, Ohio, Henry County. They have six children: Mary, James, Teresa, David, Michael, and Joseph. Pat is on the staff at Wood County Hospital Bowling Green, Ohio.

Earl L. was born on January 11, 1935. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for 3 years in Korea during the conflict there. He attended Defiance College. He and Arlene Armitage Ordway were married September 5, 1959. Their children are Donna, Claude Tony and Beth. He is employed by Fay Woodruff Construction Company in Michigan.

The youngest daughter, Shirley M. was born on November 30, 1936. She and Charles Higbea were married March 11, 1956 and they have four children: Raymond, Rita, Russell, and Rebecca.

Walter D. is the youngest son, born May 28, 1945. Walter graduated from Defiance College, and attended the Arizona State University at Tempe, Arizona, where he was a graduate assistant in the Mathematics Department until he was called into service. He served three years in the Army of the U.S. He was married to Judith Shambarger on May 7, 1971, and they live in Bethesda, Maryland. He is employed by the Mariott Corporation as a computer programmer.

Ten of the children in the family were born at home. Only Walter was born in a hospital — Heller Memorial, Napoleon, Henry County.

All the children in the family graduated from Napoleon High School and all were taught by Mrs. Dorothy Hartman in their third year of school.

Claude and Irene Buckmaster are retired and live at 721 Park Street, Napoleon, Ohio, which has been their home for 39 years.

Submitted by Mrs. Austin Tuttle