BIOGRAPHY: A. W. BUCK, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 261-2
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A.W. BUCK, a member of the banking firm of Johnston, Buck & Co., of Ebensburg, 
and a man of financial and business ability, is a son of Hon. John and Regina 
(Sherry) Buck, and was born in Carroll township, Cambria county, Pennsylvania, 
March 15, 1858. He attended the common schools until he was sixteen years of 
age, and since then has supplemented his early education by observation of men 
and the world more than by reading. With a natural aptitude, and a strong 
inclination for a business pursuit, he left school to become a clerk in the 
banking house of Collins, Johnston & Co., of Ebensburg. He served in that 
capacity for three years, during which time he showed much aptness for the 
business, and was so diligent and thorough in his work, that he was made cashier 
when only nineteen years of age. As cashier his services soon became invaluable, 
and two years later he was admitted to partnership, under the firm-name of 
Johnston, Buck & Co. While a member of the firm he still serves as cashier.
     He is well versed on financial matters, and is thoroughly familiar with all 
the details of banking, and his close and careful supervision is such as to 
prevent errors and avoid losses.
     Politically a democrat, but no office-seeker, Mr. Buck while carefully 
studying the political issues of the day, yet is neither partisan nor 
politician. Standing unquestioned for what he is, a man of business ability and 
strict integrity, his career furnishes an additional instance of what capability 
can accomplish without friends or influence.
     On May 10, 1880, Mr. Buck wedded Hattie L. Zahm, a daughter of Geo. C. K. 
Zahm, of Ebensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Buck have one child, a daughter named Blanche.
     Carl Buck, the founder of the Buck family in Cambria county, was of German 
origin and nativity, and built Buck's mills, where his son, Hon. John Buck, was 
born September 11, 1823. Hon. John Buck was engaged for many years in the 
general mercantile business, but is now living a retired life. He is an ardent 
democrat, yet served as postmaster at Carrolltown under Grant's administration. 
He served from 1862 to 1865 as sheriff Cambria county, which he represented in 
the house of representatives of Pennsylvania, during the session of 1875 to 
1876. He always took an active part in all matters pertaining to the success of 
his party, or the local government of his township and county. He is a member of 
the Catholic church, and on June 5, 1849, married Regina Sherry, a daughter of 
Peter Sherry, of Allegheny township. To their union were born twelve children: 
Celestine A., a large furniture dealer, who resides at Carrolltown, and has 
branch stores at Hastings and Spangler; Dr. M. J., of Altoona, who was graduated 
at Jefferson Medical college, took special courses in New York city and Vienna, 
Austria, and ranks as a leading surgeon of the United States; S. H., a 
contractor and builder of Lorain, Ohio; Peter, who died in the year 1881; Dr. 
James P., a graduate of Jefferson Medical college, and after serving in the 
Austrian army, operating against Servia, returned home and is now practicing in 
Chicago; A. W., subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of James V. Scanlan, a 
traveling salesman of Johnstown; Ambrose C., who has hardware stores at 
Braddock, Turtle Creek and Gallitzin, Pennsylvania; Annie, at home; Vincent J., 
engaged in the hardware business with Ambrose C., and Lambert, who is at home.
     The Buck family, of Cambria county, is of honorable German origin, and if 
related to the old and well-known Buck family of Montgomery county, of which the 
historian, William J. Buck, is a member, it will trace its ancestry back "to the 
time of the Crusades," its coat of arms being a white or silver springing buck 
on a vermilion field. Such surnames which indicate courage or agility have been 
borrowed from the shields and banners of war. The most common Christian names in 
the family for generations have been Nicholas, Jacob and John.