His father was a Lincolnshire farmer, carpenter, and early settler of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
[3] Bucknell began his career as a wood carver, acquired some savings from that trade and set himself up in business.
After his first marriage, Bucknell began conducting real estate transactions with the purchase of suburban lands and the erection of buildings.
[7] Bucknell later ran a brokerage business in Philadelphia, which traded in securities and real estate.
[8] Bucknell built an Italianate brownstone mansion at the corner of 17th and Walnut Streets in Philadelphia circa 1860.
[14] Bucknell helped fund the erection of The Baptist Publication House in Philadelphia.