Documented History
Charles Beckett Buchanan was born 4 January 1913 according to the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current. His social security number was issued by Indiana. He is the first person I’m researching from the Buchanan family.
CBB14 1920 US Federal Census
In 1920, Charles lived on Lafayette Street in Pike County, Pakota, Indiana according to the Census. He lived with his twin brother, Carlin age 7, their sisters Versa age 9 and Lois age 5 as well as their parents Maurice G age 36 and Minnie Pearl age 29. All were born in Illinois. Maurice’ father was born in Missouri. Maurice was a Methodist Preacher at the time.
CBB14 1930 US Federal Census
Charles lived in Loogootie City, Indiana in 1930 according to the Census. He lived with his parents Maurice age 46 and Pearl age 39, his twin brother Carlin age 17, and his sister Lois age 15. Maurice rented the house for $120.
Marriage
Charles married Mildred Viola Beyl on 25 May 1935 in Marion County, Indiana according to Marion County, Indiana, Marriage Index, 1925-2012. Charles was 22 years old when they married.
CBB14 1936 US City Directories
Charles lived with Mildred at 211 E Xorth Street, Apartment 36, Indianapolis, Indiana in 1936 according to U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989. He was a salesman at the time for Hiller Office Supply Company.
CBB14 1937 US City Directories
Charles and Mildred lived at 2033 Houston, Indianapolis, Indiana in 1937 according to U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989. He was a salesman for L C Smith & Corona Typewriter, Incorporated.
Charles filled out a Social Security Application or Claim in 1937, according to the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007. His birth date is listed as 4 January 1913. His death date listed as 29 September 2003. The claim was made on 5 November 1974 and lists his social security number.
Charles registered for the World War II Draft on 16 October 1940, according to the U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. He was 27 years old at the time having been born 5 January 1913 in Ridgeway, Illinois. He lived and worked in Indianapolis, Indiana at the time at Royal Typewriter Co Inc. He weighed 160 pounds at 5 feet, 9 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes. His next of kin is listed as his father, Maurice Grant Buchanan.
CBB14 1942 US City Directories
Charles and Mildred lived at 2538 Guilford Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana in 1942 according to U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989. Charles was a Maintenance Man at the time. Charles was 29 years old at the time.
CBB14 1951 US City Directories
In 1951, Charles and Mildred lived at 55 N. Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana according to U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989. He was a foreman for RCA at the time. Charles was 38 years old.
CBB14 1956 US City Directories
Charles and Mildred lived at 3705 N. Ritter Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana in 1956 according to U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989. He was still a foreman for RCA. He was 43 years old here.
CBB 1999 Last Picture taken of Charles and Mildred
From 1975 through 1993, Charles and Mildred lived on Allyn Drive, Hudson, Florida according to U.S. Public Records, Volume 1. They started out at 20 Allyn Drive, Hudson, Florida 34667 in 1975 and ended up at 13613 Allyn Drive, Hudson, Florida 34667-1505 by 1993. Their phone number there was 868-9256. Charles was 80 years old in 1993.
Charles was a grandfather. He was an avid golfer, at 85 yrs old he even had his knees replaced so he could golf more. His golf buddies were his family. He was a “only believe it if I see it” kind of person, very analytical and skeptical. His mind stayed very sharp until the end. He could still speak some Spanish that learned decades earlier from some Cuban friends he worked with. He was very direct and said what he meant. He loved to play pool and cards. He and Mildred passed many hours playing cards together. Charles gave me some budgeting advice when I was a young adult that I still practice today. The basic concept was, pay bills first, put some away for savings and give yourself some “fun” money with every check, just a little. Charles could sometimes seem harsh, even when he didn’t mean to. I remember one day as my husband and I were leaving, weeks before he died, I heard him say “I love you.” I had never heard him say that and happily turned around and told him “I love you too.” He said, “no, I was talking to Tony.” I laughed to myself thinking, you could have just let me think you were loving me! Lol. We went fishing in his boat on the Gulf of Mexico and he warned me, “I won’t bait your hook.” I told him not to worry, baited my own hook and then I caught the first fish. I think it really hurt his ego that a girl beat him. He was from the old school way of thinking that girls didn’t really have much value out of the home. He retired young, at age 50 I believe. He once told me that if he knew he was going to live past 70 he would have kept working much longer. I guess 40 years of spending all day watching the golf and weather channels bored him, just a couple of hours visiting when we could only speak during commercials, was boring! ~Karen
Death
Charles died on Monday, 29 September 2003 according to the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current. He died at the Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson, Florida. According to his Obituary in SPTimes, Charles was born in Ridgeway, Illinois and moved to Hudson in 1971 from Middletown, New Jersey. He was retired from RCA.
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At the time of his death, he had five children, seven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and one 2x’s great grandchild. He was buried at the Wellwood/Grace Funeral Home and Cemetery in Hudson, Florida. He was 90 years old when he died. Be sure to visit his memorial at Find A Grave.
CBB Headstone
My son and I will soon be making another trip to his grave to clean up their resting place and add some flowers as Mildred loved flowers.
So that’s all I have for Charles Beckett Buchanan at this time. If you were related to Charles or have memories of him that you’d like to share, please leave your stories in the comments section below.
That’s it for today, stay tuned!
~Kris
CBB14 Family Tree
Charles was a grandfather. He was an avid golfer, at 85 yrs old he even had his knees replaced so he could golf more. His golf buddies were his family. He was a “only believe it if I see it” kind of person, very analytical and skeptical. His mind stayed very sharp until the end. He could still speak some Spanish that learned decades earlier from some Cuban friends he worked with. He was very direct and said what he meant. He loved to play pool and cards. He and Mildred passed many hours playing cards together. Charles gave me some budgeting advice when I was a young adult that I still practice today. The basic concept was, pay bills first, put some away for savings and give yourself some “fun” money with every check, just a little. Charles could sometimes seem harsh, even when he didn’t mean to. I remember one day as my husband and I were leaving, weeks before he died, I heard him say “I love you.” I had never heard him say that and happily turned around and told him “I love you too.” He said, “no, I was talking to Tony.” I laughed to myself thinking, you could have just let me think you were loving me! Lol. We went fishing in his boat on the Gulf of Mexico and he warned me, “I won’t bait your hook.” I told him not to worry, baited my own hook and then I caught the first fish. I think it really hurt his ego that a girl beat him. He was from the old school way of thinking that girls didn’t really have much value out of the home. He retired young, at age 50 I believe. He once told me that if he knew he was going to live past 70 he would have kept working much longer. I guess 40 years of spending all day watching the golf and weather channels bored him, just a couple of hours visiting when we could only speak during commercials, was boring!