Sir Robert Buckell

Terre Haute's association with Sir Robert Buckell, knight and Lord Mayor of Oxford, began shortly after the Civil War when Robert, his brother John and their wives became residents.

Before leaving England, Robert was an outspoken disciple of Quaker John Bright, a member of Parliament who supported the Union cause on slavery.

Why the Buckells decided to locate in Indiana is unclear except that Englishman William Pindar, a Vigo County resident, met the Buckells on an ocean liner and praised the city's wonders. They decided to inspect the marvels for themselves.

For Robert Buckell, the "inspection" lasted 10 years. As Pindar escorted the two couples downtown after they arrived at the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad depot at 10th Street and Wabash Avenue, they were met by Henry Hawtin, a native of Oxford who had resided in Terre Haute since 1858 and worked for florist Lawrence Heinl.

Hawtin accompanied the group to the old Filbeck Hotel at Fifth and Cherry streets, where the Buckells stayed until they found a boarding house. Within a few weeks, the Buckell brothers opened a paint and wallpaper store on the south side of Ohio Street between Third and Fourth streets.

Tragedy stalked John Buckell and his wife, Sarah. On Sept. 21, 1866, their infant child died. Two months later, Sarah died. Finally, John died of tuberculosis on Aug. 5, 1869, at age 24. All are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Despite the family anguish, Robert and Susannah Buckell stayed, acquiring a home on North Fourth Street. Robert's business was successful. Buckell was said to have the "finest and most fastidious" wall papers, curtain fixtures, glass, paints, oils, varnishes and printer's material.

He also became the Sunday-school teacher at Asbury Chapel at Fourth and Walnut streets and attracted a large enrollment. Robert was also popular among local politicians. His wallpaper and paint store was located on "Wall Street," a block between Third and Fourth streets that was considered the center of government and political activity. Many professionals maintained offices there.

Robert thrived in that environment. Republicans urged him to run for a seat in the state legislature until someone pointed out that Buckell was not an American citizen.

In late 1875, Robert's wife, Susannah, went back to England for a visit and decided to stay. Robert returned to England a few months later. He was not forgotten. One person who remained in constant communication with him was Richard L. Alder, founder of R.L. Alder & Bros. Wallpaper at 509 Ohio St.

Upon returning to Oxford, Buckell introduced facets of American political organization into English politics and became the head of the Liberal Party. Beginning in 1885, Buckell served six intermittent terms as Lord Mayor of Oxford and was an alderman for more than 20 years. He was the first civilian given an honorary degree by Oxford University after spearheading the construction of a new municipal hall.

Buckell and his wife returned to Terre Haute in August 1899. Robert delivered a speech to the Commercial Club, predecessor to the Chamber of Commerce. At the time, Terre Haute was seeking to become the "Pittsburgh of the West." By contrast, Oxford had no desire to become an industrial or manufacturing city but was happy to remain a literary and educational center.

Debilitated by an ailment that confounded medical science, Susannah Buckell died a few years later.

In 1907, King Edward VII -- England's venerated monarch who loved horse racing, gambling and attractive women -- knighted Buckell for his many contributions to Oxford. Sir Robert Buckell returned to America again in August 1912. After being feted by the mayor of New York City, he came to Terre Haute and resided for more than a week with the Alders at 1457 S. Third St. During that stay he addressed about 1,000 students at Indiana State Normal School about "The Parliamentary Crisis of England."

In an interview published in the Terre Haute Tribune, Sir Robert praised the city's progress. He reminisced about the days when hogs roamed the streets and destroyed his garden as well as the gruesome hanging of Civil War veteran Oliver Anson Morgan on Dec. 23, 1869, at Third and Walnut streets for the murder of saloonkeeper John Petri.

And he described the construction and impact of the Terre Haute Opera House, then the city's tallest downtown structure, in 1870. While residing in Terre Haute. Buckell was awarded the painting contract for the opera house and Providence Hospital.

Buckell was re-elected mayor of Oxford for the fifth and sixth time in 1916 and 1918 respectively. He would have been 78 years old when he completed his last term.