most worshipful grand lodge - Louisiana State University

JVL UX. CHfl^UHS FRANCIS BUCK,GRAND MASTER OF MASONS OF LOUISIANA, 1887 TO 1893, SIXCONSECUTIVE YEARS.At the session of February 15th, 1893, the following resolution wasunanimously adopted:Be it Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana recognizes theeminent services of P. G. M. Charles Francis Buck.He has filled the high and dignified office of Grand Master of Masons of the State«f Louisiana for six years with marked zeal and ability; he has enduringly recordedhimself as of unsurpassed efficiency in its administration; he has, of all others, beenmainly instrumental in the building of our Temple; he has contributed largely tothe elevation and high purposes of the fraternity; he has materially assisted in therestoration of our prosperity throughout the jurisdiction, and in his life and moraldeportment testified to the high principles masonry enjoins.Be it further Resolved, That this Grand Lodge request that they be permitted t©place his'engraved portrait in the forthcoming Proceedings of this Annual GrandCommunication, and that there be annexed thereto these resolutions, with a resumeof his life and masonic history.The life-like steel portrait which adorns these proceedings was, by resolution ofthe Grand Lodge, to be accompanied by a sketch of the distinguished brother. Hisremarkable tenure of the exalted station was signalized by such important work,and the result has been so beneficial to the jurisdiction, that the members of theGrand Lodge unanimously concluded that the meager return should be made himof the presentation of his portrait to the Masons of Louisiana.He was bora on the 5th day of November, 1841, in the village of Durrheim, BlackForest, Germany.The political commotions of 1848-49, which swept with particular force over thecountries of South Germany, impoverished many of the people and left them notonly without resources, but without hope.Anton Buck, his lather, was then 46 years old. He had been " Squire " or Burgomasterof the village since his twenty-seventh year. He had taken active part inthe rebellion, and at its end he was, like many others, reduced in means and prospects.All South Germany then was wild with the hopes and promises of the NewWorld. In the villages, the men who had come back "from the war " marched ingroups through the streets and drowned the sorrow of their defeat in songs aboutthe happier land of America.Broken in the prime of life—with eight living children, of which the subject ofthis sketch was the third youngest—what was there to do but to make a new life inanother land ?On the 19th of December, 1852, he landed in New Orleans with his wife an* six ofhis children—the two eldest sons had preceded them a year or two to look for asettling place in Missouri.Various causes delayed the intended departure " for the West." The elder of thetwo sons came to this city in May, 1853. It was concluded to remain here.Three months later all but Brother Charles F. Buck and his youngest sister hadbeen laid to their eternal rest in the cemeteries of New Orleans.They had fallen victims to the yellow fever which that summer made suchterrible havoc among the unacclimated.Left helpless and alone by these calamitous misfortunes, he received shelter froma countryman, Bro. Jno. Wild, P. M. Germania Lodge No. 46, who was proprietor&f a saloon and boarding-house in this city. Here he was for many years confined