Thomas Bryant Buck was born in Russell County, Alabama, September 3, 1890, the son of Charles Willis Buck, born in Newbern, Alabama, November 22, 1863 and Martha Mahalie Clay Buck (Mrs. C. W.), and born in Russell County, Alabama, April 2, 1865. Both lived in Columbus until their deaths. Bryant Buck had one sister, Mrs. W. M. Amos (May) and two brothers, Raymond Clay Buck of Columbus and Cecil Edwin Buck, deceased. He was married to Helen Daphne Dodd (Born August 23, 1891 in Douglas County, GA) , onJanuary 4, 1914 at the home of Thomas Edward Dodd, the bride's grandfather, Campbell County, Ga. Mrs. Buck is the daughter of Mrs. Mary Brown Dodd and the late John Thomas Dodd of Atlanta. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Buck. Thomas Bryant Buck, Jr., born February 25, 1917; Harold Dodd Buck, August 20, 1923; William C. Buck, March 21, 1925; Brownie Buck Elliott (Mrs. J. Robert); Helen Buck Bergquist (Mrs. Vincent F.) and twin daughters, Jean and Jane Buck.

All were born in Columbus. They were the grandparents of Thomas Bryant Buck, III, born 1938; Leslie Litchfield Buck, 1943; Vincent Finval Bergquist, Jr., 1947; Beryl Valien Bergquist, 1949 and Harold Dodd Buck, Jr., 1950, all born in Columbus, Ga. In 1912 Mr. Buck became a retail grocer as owner of Buck Grocery Company. After only ten years, due to his industriousness and frugality he was able to construct an ice manufacturing plant known as the Buck Ice and Coal Company. Under his able direction this business prospered and in 1931 he built an Ice Plant in Macon, Ga. In 1938 he expanded his activities into the soft drink bottling field, purchasing the local franchises for Dr. Pepper and Seven Up and erecting a new bottling plant for that operation.

In the early 1940's he entered the corn milling and syrup manufacturing field, becoming an officer of Eelbeck Milling Co. During this same period he became a Director of the Merchants and Mechanics Bank. He was an original stockholder and member of the board of Southern Foods, Inc. He was also a Director of the Southeastern Retail Coal Association and of the Rotary Club of Columbus. He belonged to the Executives Club, the Country Club of Columbus and was affiliated with the Baptist Church.

In 1922, T. B. Buck founded Buck Ice. In those days, block ice was delivered by mule-pulled wagons and folks placed cards in their windows to order their ice. Back then, "The Red Wagon Boys" was a popular radio program. Later, our Buck Ice penguins, "Pete and Gladys", became a favorite of children and adults alike.

Thomas Bryant Buck, Jr. was born February 25, 1917 in Columbus, Ga. His parents were Helen Dodd Buck of Douglas County, Ga. who was born August 23, 1891 and Thomas Bryant Buck, Sr. of Lee County, Ala. who was born September 3, 1890 and died January 19, 1948. Thomas was one of a family of seven children, three boys and four girls. His sisters are Brownie B. Elliott, Helen B. Bergquist, Jean Buck, Jane Buck, and his brothers Harold D. Buck and William C. Buck. He was educated in the Columbus Public Schools and graduated from Industrial High School in 1934. He then attended Georgia Military College. Violet Burrus Litchfield, daughter of Nell Jones Litchfield and Robert Litchfield, became his wife August 15, 1936 in Pittsview, Alabama. They are the parents of two sons, both born in Columbus, Ga. Thomas Bryant Buck, III was born March 2, 1938 and Leslie Litchfield Buck, March 3, 1943. Mr. Buck has made great advancement in the business world. He is manager of the Dr. Pepper Bottling Co. of Columbus, Vice-Pres. of Eelbeck Milling Company of Georgia, Manager of the Buck Investment Co., Partner in Buck Ice and Coal Co. of Columbus and Macon, Ga., Director of the Y. M. C. A., Director of Merchants and Mechanics Bank, Director Bachelors Club, Director Georgia Bottlers Association, Director of Southern Foods, Inc., and Director of Executives Club. At the present time he is serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce for the year 1951. He was chosen Man of The Year for 1949. His Club affiliations consist of the Bachelors, Country Club, Executives Club and the Rotary Club. He is a Deacon in the First Baptist Church. Thomas is a very personable young man, always courteous and friendly to everyone. His leadership in any Civic enterprise which promotes improvement and growth of Columbus has made him one of the outstanding young men of this community.

" Over the years the Buck Ice family and the fine folks who work with us have continued to offer you and your family the best ice and the best service available. Today, Buck Ice is automatically manufactured and packaged using modern technology. As Bucki says, "Never touched by human hands." Insist on Buck Ice wherever you shop. We're proud of our eighty-three year history of service - in the same family, in the same location. We're even prouder to have so many folks as our customers and our friends."