Who Is This?

This section of the website will feature pictures with individuals we cannot identify (and hope someone else can). It will also feature unanswered questions about the history of Buchanan.

Question #1: Where is Lorenzo P. Alexander (1820-1894) buried?

This question came up when the history of the "Union Block Building" on Front Street in Buchanan was being investigated. (In 1862, Lorenzo P. Alexander and John D. Ross built it on the south side of Front St., near the Pears Mill, and in 2007 it was place on the National Register of Historic Places.) Lorenzo Alexander was also the general contractor for the three story brick high school, which he built in 1871, and which remained in service until the current Buchanan High School was built 50 years later. He also served in the Michigan state legislature, twice as Buchanan's Postmaster, and in numerous other local posts. His first wife, Rachel (Cooper) Alexander (1821-1859) is buried in Section 20, Lot 1, along with several of his children and a grandchild, but we have not found any indication of where he is buried (which is strange since he died in Buchanan and lived here all his adult life).

Question #2: Inquiries have come in to Friends about Duane S. Beadle.

Information at Oak Ridge Cemetery lists a Lieutenant Duane S. Beadle 1922-1944. Military records indicate an induction of a First Lieutenant Duane S. Beadle, 375th Bomb Squadron, 308th Bomber missing inaction over China 1944. Tombstone at Fort William McKinley, Manila in the Philippines indicates 18 March 1944. Medals awarded Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Distinguished Flying Cross.

Duane had 3 brothers Earnest W. born 1913, Lester L. born 1915 and Max born 1920. A wife is listed as Jean, no information is available. No children listed.

Please provide any information to info@friendsofoakridge.org.