Biographies:  George A. BUFFINGTON, Eau Claire, Eau Claire Co., WI 

====================================================================
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information 
on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as 
this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may 
NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other 
persons or organizations.

Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes 
other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file 
contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact 
the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent.   The submitter 
has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently 
for free access.

This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:  
Nance Sampson  <nsampson@spacestar.net>  1 December 1999	
====================================================================

It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of a county or state lies not 
in its machinery of government, not even in its institutions, but in the 
sterling quality of its individual citizens, in their capacity for high and 
unselfish effort and their devotion to the public good.  Among those who are 
justly entitled to be enrolled among the makers of the great county of Eau 
Claire, is George Augustus Buffington, deceased.  He was born at Little 
Valley, Cataraugus county, New York, on June 29, 1825, the son of Isaaih and
Sophia (Winchester) Buffington, the former a native of Maine, of English 
descent, and the latter of Cataraugus county, New York, of Scotch ancestry.

George A. was raised in Cataraugus and Onondago counties, New York, until he 
reached the age of seventeen years, then came to Wisconsin with his parents 
who settled in Walworth county, and here he worked at teaming, farming and 
anything honorable to make an honest living.  On April 12, 1846, he married 
Miss Pluma A. Jones, of that county and soon thereafter pre-empted a piece 
of land, erected a small log cabin and there began to carve out his 
subsequent successful career.  He purchased a stage line running from 
Kenosha to Beloit which he operated until 1848 when he sold it out and moved 
to Stephenson county, Illinois, and there entered 160 acres of land and 
engaged in farming.  He later disposed of his interests here and moved to 
Dodge county where he received the appointment of undersheriff and was also 
elected justice of the peace, and at the same time engaged in the grocery 
and sales-stable business, and by his industry and frugality, managed to 
save twelve thousand dollars.

In 1853 he located at Horicon and continued the grocery business for one and 
one-half years; he also engaged in the livery business which he continued 
until October 1, 1856, when he came to Eau Claire, purchased real estate and 
the following year, 1857, brought his family consisting of his wife and 
three children, viz.: Clarence M., Ida C., and Byron A.  For a short time, 
they lived in a log house for which he paid $20.00 per month in advance, 
later purchased the Niagara House which he conducted at intervals for ten 
years.  In 1857 he engaged in steamboating and in the winter of 1858 and '59 
built the steamer "Chippewa Valley" which he ran for one year, then placed 
another man in charge who managed it until the war broke out, when it was 
captured on the White river and burned.  In 1859 he purchased a half 
interest in the Ball and Smith saw mill which afterwards became known as the 
Smith & Buffington Mill Company which in 1874 was incorporated as the Valley 
Lumber Company, and Mr. Buffington became its president, and from that time 
on until his death which occurred in August, 1893, he was actively engaged 
in the lumber business.

Isaaih Buffington and Sophia Winchester, his parents, were pioneers of 
Cataraugus county, New York, where he cleared and improved a farm and later 
moved to Onondago county, New York, and in 1842 they came by team from New 
York to Wisconsin, locating in Walworth county, sixteen miles east of Beloit,
remaining there until 1843, when they moved to Summerville, this state, and 
for two years conducted a hotel.  In 1846 they moved to Illinois and settled 
on a farm in Stephenson county, where they both died, he in 1874 and she in 
1893.
	
In politics George A. Buffington was a Republican and represented his party 
in various offices.   He served as mayor of Eau Claire, was alderman of the 
city and at one time was chairman of the county board.  He was a member of 
Eau Claire Lodge, No. 162, A. F. and A. M., Eau Claire Chapter, No. 36, 
R. A. M., the Chippewa Commandery, No. 8, Knight Templars and the Wisconsin 
Consistory, 32d degree.  He was a man who enjoyed the confidence and esteem 
of all with whom he came in contact both in a business way and socially; he 
as unassuming in manner, but had a quiet consciousness of his own strength 
of character and latent force that carried him past all difficulties which 
he encountered during his lifetime and he was well and favorably known over 
the county not only for his business integrity, but for his courteous and 
genial bearing as well.

--Taken from "The History of Eau Claire County, 1914, Past & Present",
pages 659-660.