Annie Donnelly Buck

From Family Search

Annie Donnelly Fraser was born on 19 September 1856 at Mill Brook, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, the fifth child of Richard Fraser and Janet Blackie. Annie grew up in Pictou County and attended school there. She was later employed as a domestic helper by the Presbyterian minister in Greenhill, where she proved herself capable and even exemplary. When she left the minister’s employ, she traveled to Philadelphia, taking with her a letter of recommendation. She worked in Philadelphia and is known to have visited Boston and New York City. In 1883 Annie received a letter informing her that her mother was ill and not expected to recover. By the time Annie arrived in Mill Brook, her mother had died.

Although it is not known how and when she became acquainted with William James Buck, a letter she wrote to him from Philadelphia in 1887 addressed him as “Dear friend.” In 1888 William wrote Annie’s father asking for his permission to marry her. His response included these lines: "Although you are a perfect stranger to me I know she has been acquainted with you for a long time and if she is willing to trust her future to you I cannot say anything but give my full and free consent to your marriage." Annie and William were married at the Fraser home in Mill Brook on 19 September 1888.

When Annie and William returned from their honeymoon in Halifax, they moved to Port Hastings, Nova Scotia. William set up a mercantile business in nearby Port Hawkesbury. Their first child, John William, was born on 11 July 1891 and named after his father and paternal grandfather. Their second son, Richard Fraser, was born on 9 May 1893, and named after his maternal grandfather. Both sons were born at Port Hastings.

William’s mother had a younger brother, David Keith, who went west to make his fortune in mining. He succeeded beyond all expectation, but he did not forget his family in the process. His desire to be a benefactor to them led him to visit his Canadian relatives in Nova Scotia in September 1894. While there, he encouraged William to move his family to Park City, Utah, to take advantage of the opportunities there. In November 1894, David sent William $600 to purchase tickets and pay moving expenses. 
In December William traveled west with his wife, children, mother, and half-sister Matilda May Baillie. David Keith met them at the Echo Junction train stop and escorted them by sleigh to Park City. Annie wrote to her sister, Janet, on 5 January 1895 describing their trip from Nova Scotia to Utah.

While the Buck family settled into their new mountain home, David Keith put William in charge of his Park City properties. William quickly became a United States citizen and, with the help of David Keith, bought an interest in the general store that would eventually become Welsh, Driscoll & Buck. The partnership worked out well. William was the conservative, conscientious businessman who handled the clerical branch of the business and looked after day-to-day operations. Henry Welsh handled outside interests such as mining claims. Annie was a director in Welsh, Driscoll & Buck throughout her life and was owner and joint owner in many mining claims in the Park City area. None of the mining ventures proved to be very profitable for Annie and William.

Will and Annie's third son, David Keith Buck, was born in Park City, Summit County, Utah, on 11 July 1895. He was named after Will's uncle, David Keith, the Buck family benefactor. Their fourth and last child, Isabel Emma Parker Buck, was born in Park City on 28 January 1898 and named after her paternal grandmother, Isabella.

Both Annie and Will were much involved in community affairs, especially in the Community Church. Will handled church finances and Annie, at the time of her death, was superintendent of the Sunday school. Annie was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and was the first president of the Women's Auxiliary of the American Legion. Members of the community considered her to be a staunch friend and a good neighbor.

Annie died at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 25 January 1922 after a prolonged illness. Her funeral was held at Park City’s Community Church, which was filled to capacity. She was buried in the Glenwood Cemetery.'