John William Buskamp was born in Westphalia, Prussia, in the Court District of Holtwick, near Bocholt, Munster, on October 2, 1832, and is a son of John and Theodora (Schmitz) Buskamp. The father was a miller by occupation.

In 1853 our subject immigrated to the United States, and landing at New York, proceeded to Cleveland, Ohio, where he learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade. He then worked in Detroit, Mich., and on the Michigan Central Railway. He afterward went to Joliet, Ill., and there engaged at his trade, putting on the roof of the court-house, and being among the first to work on the State Prison. Contracting the chills and fever at that place, he was obliged to seek another climate, and he consequently came to Fort Smith in 1859, where he has been engaged in building.

He worked for the Confederates here during the war until 1863, and then worked for the Union Government. Among the buildings he has erected may be mentioned, Gen. Bonneville's residence, the Belle Point School-house and the St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church.

He was married in 1861 to Miss Theresa Ermann, daughter of Casper Ermann, and a native of Westphalia. Mr. and Mrs. Buskamp have two daughters and one son living, viz.: Dora. Henry and Adelaide, all of whom were educated at the Convent. Two sons died in infancy. Mr. Buskamp and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.