Buchan, Champion L.

Born at Beloit, WI; deafened in one ear at age 1 from typhoid fever, and in the other ear from a cold at age 15. Entered the Illinois State School for the deaf at age 19, graduating 1872. Itinerant carpenter for 2 years, then cabinetmaker in Rockford, IL until 1882, when he became a clerk in the Chicago post office, eventually rising to the position of inspector of mails by 1887. First wife Hattie Robinson died young; his second wife was Eleanor N. Patten.