Christopher and Frances Buck were married in Hamilton County in 1895 and to this marriage four children were born: one son, Clyde W., and three daughters, Alma, Marie, and Aileen. The girls married and moved to other areas of Illinois. Clyde W. married Ruby Simons of Hamilton County and in 1922 moved to Jefferson County in the Campground area on property now utilized by the Mt. Vernon airport. This farm was known as the Patton Farm and was owned by Clyde's mother, Mrs. Frances Hartman. Christopher, Clyde's father had died in 1910, and Frances had married Mr. Anthony Hartman of Jefferson County. Clyde and his family resided in this area while he worked at the Davidson Bakery on the east side of Mt. Vernon and later at the car shops. In 1943 Clyde and Ruby started full-time farming on the 160-acre farm just south of Campground. During the years from 1922 to 1943 six children were born:

1. Clyde Jr.,
2. Darlene,
3. Ted and
4. Georgia (twins).
5. Frank and
6. Sue.

Clyde and Ruby are now retired and reside in Bonnie, Illinois.

In September 1951 Ted enlisted in the United States Air Force and met Betty Morgan in Macon, Georgia while serving at Warner Robins AFB. They were married in 1952 and a daughter, Brenda, was born while Ted was assigned to pilot training. Ted and Betty traveled to Langley AFB, Virginia where another daughter, Cindy, and a son, Ted Jr., were born. In August 1957 the family came to Mt. Vernon to purchase a farm from Everett Randolph.

Ted went to Viet Nam in 1967 and flew 341 combat mission and was decorated 22 times in the next 11 months for valor and heroism. During the remaining years in the Air Force, Ted attained the rank of Lt. Colonel and held many positions a pilot and commander. While on vacation in Mt. Vernon in 1971 Ted received an urgent message from Washington to return in order to pilot Dr. Henry Kissinger on a top secret mission. Flying Dr. Kissinger to make the initial contacts for the President's trip to Red China turned out to be the highlight of Ted's career. He ended his career in the military as Commander of the 8th ACes and retired in June, 1972. He and hi family now reside in Dodds Township and have two grandson added to the family: Asa Lemmons, son of Brenda, and Christopher Koelling, son of Cindy. Ted is presently in the construction business in the county.
- Ted Buck

*NOTE* Some ommisions may have occured to protect living individuals.

Source: "Facts and Folks A History of Jefferson County, Illinois"
Jefferson County Historical Society
Printed by Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, TX Page 104
Submitted by Sandy Whalen Bauer