Benjamin F. Buchanan

Benjamin F. Buchanan, born 14 Jan 1858, KY, died 03 Apr 1951, married about 1895, Bethany (Bessie) Ramsey, dau of Andrew Phillip Ramsey and Rebecca C Humphrey, born 30 May 1858, KY, died 13 Sep 1949, AR.

They are listed on the 1900 census of Joplin Ward 5, Jasper, MO with his occupation as “merchant, notions.” In the 1910 census of Randolph, St Francois, MO they both are listed as “teacher, public school.” The are listed on page 14 of the 1920 census of Flagler Co with his occupation given as "Postmaster Bunnell," and her occupation as “Assistant Post Master.”

The first record of Mr and Mrs Buchanan residing in Bunnell was in the minutes of the St. Johns County Board of Public Instruction meeting of June 1913 when "B.F. Buchanan was employed as principal" of Bunnell school and Bessie Buchanan was appointed as a teacher for a term of eight months and they were reappointed for another term.

When Flagler County was created in 1917 Benjamin F. Buchanan was appointed by Gov Sidney Johnston Catts as Superintendent of Public Instruction for the new County, and he served until July 1918. It is not known how long he served as Postmaster of Bunnell nor when they moved from Flagler County.

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cited as her sources, Census, Public Record and Published Articles.

Additional sources used by the compiler were: 1900 United States Federal Census, Joplin Ward 5, Jasper, Missouri;1910 United States Federal Census, Randolph, St Francois, Missouri; and Ramsey Family information posted on ancestry.com.

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com