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

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Byron A. Buffington, treasurer of the Chippewa Valley Light & Power Company, 
and well known business man of Eau Claire, was born in Dodge City, Dodge 
county, Wisconsin, November 27, 1852.  His parents were George A. and Pluma 
A. (Jones) Buffington, (sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history), 
his paternal grandparents were Isaaih and Sophia (Winchester) Buffington, 
natives of Maine and New York respectively, who were descended from English 
and Scotch ancestry.  Mr. Buffington was five years of age when his parents 
moved to Eau Claire and he grew up with the city, receiving his education in 
th public schools, which was subsequently supplemented with a course at the 
Shattuck Episcopal Military College at Fairbault, Minnesota.  He began his 
business career in 1874 as a member of the firm of G. A. Buffington & Son, 
of EauClaire, dealers in general merchandise, which business he followed 
until 1878.  He was next engaged for several years in logging and on the 
organization of the Eau Claire Grocery Company in 1883, he became its 
president, and was identified with that concern until 1898.  He was then 
elected president of the Chippewa Valley Bank, a position he filled until 
that bank was merged into the Union National Bank, of which he is now one 
of the directors.  He was made treasurer of the Chippewa Valley Light & 
Power Company and is still acting in that capacity as well as looking after 
his many other interests.

On September 9, 1874, hemarried Francis Elmyra Hoover, daughter of Stephen 
and Elizabeth (Barland) Hoover, of Eau Claire, who was born in Orange 
county, New York, and educated at Ripon College.  Politically Mr. Buffington 
is affiliated with the Republican party.  He served two years as regent of 
the Wisconsin University, and during the sessions of 1900 and 1902, 
represented his district in the general assembly.  Mr. Buffington occupies a 
prominent place in social as well as the business life of Eau Claire.  He is 
a member of the Eau Claire Club of which he is one of the founders; he is a 
32d degree Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

--Taken from "The History of Eau Claire County, 1914, Past & Present",
pages 660-661.