Union Cemetery Historical Society - Walking Tour # 7


EARLY LIFE

Samuel S. Bucher was born on September 18, 1825, in Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland, to the parent's of Peter and Susanna Bucher. He was Christened on April 22, 1826, at the Lutheran Congregation of Zion Church of Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland.


MARRIAGE

Samuel Bucher married Margaret R Stephens on April 14, 1846, by Reverend David Alrimum at the house of Samuel Alexander - witnessed by he and his wife. They were married in Middletown, Frederick County, Virginia. They had their first four children in Virginia before moving to Westport, Jackson County, Missouri in 1852.

Samuel and Margaret Bucher had the following children:

Mande A Bucher
Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bucher 1847 – 1887
Mariam Susan "Jennie" Bucher 1849 – 1908
John S Bucher 1851 – 1938
William Henry Bucher 1854 – 1934
Andrew J Bucher 1856 – 1857
Phillip Dorse Bucher 1857 – 1935
Daniel W Bucher 1860 – 1861
Sterling Price Bucher 1862 – 1934
Jacob Peter Bucher 1864 – 1942
Joseph Shelby Bucher 1866 – 1939
Robert Lee Bucher 1869 – 1952


CIVIL WAR

Samuel Bucher fought for the Union, rank private, Company I, Regiment 6 Kansas Volunteer Cavalry. He was enrolled on September 3, 1863, at the town of Westport in the state of Missouri, by Captain Joshua Blake and mustered into service of the United States from the 3rd day of September, 1863, at the town of Fort Scott in the state of Kansas by Major Weed, to serve for the period of 3 years "during the war."

Per his company descriptive book from the Union Soldier book -

Description

Age 45 years; height 5 feet 9 1/2 inches
Complexion Light
Eyes Blue; Hair Light
Where born Maryland
Occupation Shoemaker

Enlistment

When September 3, 1863
Where Westport
By whom Captain Blake; term 3 years.

Dejected September 14, 1864, returned September 18, 1864, sentenced by G C M to forfeit one years pay and be confined at hard labor for one year at Alton, Illinois commencing October 12 1864. Dishonorably discharged September 4, 1865, St. Louis, Missouri.

There is a question about him serving in the Confederate Army. In his wife's obituary, he is listed as serving under Sterling Price in the Confederate Army. I did find a Sterling Price as he was the governor of Missouri from 1853 to 1857. He led unsuccessful Battles of Pea Ridge and Westport during the Civil War. Although the battle was on October 23, 1864, while Samuel was in prison in Illinois. It also may be true as he named his son who was born in 1862, Sterling Price Bucher...

DEATH

Samuel Bucher was the city marshal of Westport, Missouri, and had been in an altercation with Wes Gossard, the telegraph operator at the Coates House. Approximately 2 weeks after the altercation, Gossard had recovered from injuries enough to drive a buggy to the house of Marshal Bucher, who he shot and killed. After Gossard shot Marshal Bucher, he drove the buggy away but only to flip it as Marshal Bucher's son-in-law, Preston Erwin, caught up to him and captured him. Samuel Bucher died instantly June 15, 1879.