An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana, Richard S. Peale & Co., Publishers, 1875, page 671
JOSEPH S. BUCKLES
Was born near Springfield, Clark county, Ohio, July twenty-ninth, 1819; came to Muncie, Indiana, with his father, October, 1833, where he has since resided; was educated in log schools houses, upon the forcible theory "that to spare the rod spoils the boy;" studied the legal profession, and commenced the practice in 1841. In 1846, was elected prosecuting attorney in a circuit opposed to him in politics, and composed of eight counties; served two years. In 1848, was elected State senator by the district composed of the counties of Grant and Delaware; served three sessions, the last two as chairman of the judiciary committee. In 1854, was the democratic nominee for Congress in the old burnt district, and was beaten by Hon. D.P. Hollaway, the fusion candidate. In 1858, was elected judge of the seventh judicial circuit, remained on the circuit bench twelve years, since which time he has been engaged in agriculture and horticulture, he says, as a means of morals, health, and amusement, and the practice of his profession for a livelihood. In politics, up to 1860, he was a democrat, and voted the ticket unscratched; supported Lincoln's administration during the rebellion, and has since voted the republican ticket. In 1872, he was one of the republican senatorial electors and as such canvassed the major part of the State, and has, since retiring from the bench, taken an active part in the political contests of the State. He has always taken a deep interest in all measures the tendency of which were to develop the resources of his county and State, consequently has been closely identified with the railroad and turnpike interests of western Indiana. He says, "he commenced the world poor, and has held his own remarkably well."
County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net