When John Rich Buker was born on 9 August 1792, in Bowdoin, Sagadahoc, Maine, United States, his father, David Buker, was 31 and his mother, Bethiah Sparks, was 27. He married Rachel Hooper Harris on 9 December 1822, in Greene, Androscoggin, Maine, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 3 daughters. He died on 20 October 1847, in Greene, Androscoggin, Maine, United States, at the age of 55, and was buried in Valley Cemetery, Greene, Androscoggin, Maine, United States.