Edward Christian Buchanan
City of Troy

This biography is from Troy and Rensselaer County, New York, Volume III, by Rutherford Hayner, Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., New York and Chicago, 1925. It was submitted by Debby Masterson.

EDWARD CHRISTIAN BUCHANAN—Along one of the most practical lines of commercial endeavor, Edward Christian Buchanan, of Troy, New York, is bearing a definite part in the welfare of the community and in the convenience and comfort of the public. He is the owner of the Buchanan Baggage Transfer, which succeeded the Westcott Express Company, a long-established baggage transfer, which within recent years he has developed to include also a comprehensive taxi service. Mr. Buchanan is a son of John E. Buchanan, who died in 1873; the mother, Daretta (Goss) Buchanan, survived her husband for many years, but passed away in 1912.

Edward Christian Buchanan was born in Troy, New York, and his education was limited to the advantages of the local public schools. At the age of sixteen years he began to work evenings and Saturdays in the collar and shirt factory of Troy, and shortly after completing the public school course he entered the employ of Beiermeister, Smith, Burden & Company, of this city, as shipping clerk. He remained in this connection for two years, when he was advanced to foreman, and later to superintendent. In 1912 he resigned to engage in the dairy business in Watervliet, New York, continuing along this line until the year 1917. He then became interested in the Aird Motor Company, of Troy. This activity continued for about two years, then Mr. Buchanan became manager of a taxicab business in Troy, and on August 1, 1921, he took over the interests of the Westcott Express Company, and has since conducted both these interests under the name of the Buchanan Baggage Transfer. The Westcott Express, one of the very old enterprises of its kind in this city, was established in the year 1880 for the purpose of transferring baggage and passengers between stations and from boat to stations. A year following the founding of the business, the first contract with the Boston & Albany railroad was taken, and in 1882 a contract with the New York Central railroad was also taken. From time to time different owners have operated the business, but it has never been suspended for a day and is looked upon as one of the old dependable public conveniences along these lines of travel. It remained for Mr. Buchanan to organize the taxicab activities which now form a department of this business, and with his practical ability and genial spirit always eager to fill a useful and progressive place in the community, he is doing a very extensive and constantly increasing business. He employs twenty men in both departments and gives his personal attention to the management of the interest. Mr. Buchanan is a man who delights in his work and has practically no recreation. He is a member of the Troy Chamber of Commerce and the Troy Automobile Club. He is also a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 13, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he has been secretary for twenty-one years, and is still serving in that capacity; a member of Apollo Chapter, No. 48, Royal Arch Masons; Bloss Council, No. 14, Royal and Select Masters; Apollo Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar; also Oriental Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is further a member of Troy Council, No. 447, Order of the Maccabees. His religious affiliation is with the Second Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Buchanan married, June 28, 1893, Jane Spence, of Troy, daughter of George, Sr., and Jane (Cairns) Spence, of Troy, New York.



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