James W. Buchanan was born in 1846 in Fairfield County, Ohio. In 1864, young Buchanan joined the 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry of Lancaster. He was alongside Gen. Sherman's men in Georgia during the War. After the war, Buchanan returned home and began learning the bridge building trade from a local bridge builder named Jacob R. Brandt. Buchanan lost numerous contracts to more experienced contractors early in his career. He repaired and rebuilt bridges until he obtained his first contract by underbidding August Borneman. He quickly established himself in Fairfield County. By 1888, most of the longer bridge contracts were going to him. A trademark of Buchanan's work was the camber of the bridge. Buchanan ended his career in 1916.