Biography - Hon. Joseph W. Buffum
JUDGE JOSEPH W. BUFFUM. The subject of this biography is widely and
favorably known throughout this county as one of its most prominent and
useful citizens. He is a lifelong agriculturist, but of late years has been
giving his attention to live stock, carrying on his operations at a
beautiful farm and homestead of 160 acres, on section 17 in Todd Creek
Precinct.
A native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, our subject was born May 9, 1834, and
when three years of age went with his parents to Knox County, Ill. They
settled upon a tract of land, where the father engaged in farming, and where
were spent the boyhood and youth of Joseph W., during which time he acquired
a good practical education, and became familiar with the various employments
of rural life.
The years of young Buffum were thus spent in a comparatively uneventful
manner until the notes of civil war startled the country, and its young men
began by hundreds to offer their services in defense of the Union. On the
11th of August, 1862, our subject enlisted in Company G, 83d Illinois
Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He first saw the
smoke of battle at Ft. Donelson, and was thereafter engaged in many of the
important battles of the war, experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, and at
Clarksville, Tenn., was wounded in the left leg, and made a cripple for
life. He has never been able to walk since that time as other men, but
succeeded in getting around slowly by the aid of crutches, and for the past
eight or nine years has been able to abandon their use. This occurred in the
spring of 1865. Mr. Buffum was confined at Ft. Bruce, and after the close of
the conflict received his honorable discharge at Chicago, Ill., in July,
1865, and was mustered out of the service. His army experience was similar
to that of thousands, and has been recorded in a history that will never
grow old to the American people.
After being relegated to the ranks of civil life Mr. Buffum returned to his
old home in Knox County, Ill., for a brief period, and entered his father's
store in Yates City, where, however, he remained only a short time, until
starting for the West. He left the Prairie State on the 1st of April, 1868,
and reached Nebraska twenty days later, settling in Tecumseh, where he
resided for about twelve years. While residing there he improved the land of
which he had become owner before leaving Illinois. Upon this there had been
no attempt at improvement, and Mr. Buffum pursued thereafter the course
common to the Nebraska pioneer, battling with the difficulties of a distant
market, imperfect farm implements, and the various other drawbacks which
beset the new settler. He was possessed, however, of the sturdy courage and
perseverance incident to the men of those times, and allowed nothing to
deter him from his purpose of building up a homestead on the soil of
Nebraska. After putting in his first crops he began planting shade and fruit
trees, erecting the buildings most urgently needed, put out several acres of
forest trees and a large peach orchard, and otherwise increased the value
and beauty of his property. Upon this farm, however, he did not live, making
his home in Tecumseh, and in addition to the supervision of his farming
operations, was engaged four years in the livery business. Later he took up
merchandising, in which he was engaged three years. He sold this farm in the
fall of 1880, and purchased his present homestead the year following.
This latter property had undergone considerable improvements, but Mr. Buffum
has greatly added to its value by the erection of a large and handsome
residence, which, with its surroundings, constitutes one of the most
attractive pictures in the landscape of this region. Here he has about eight
acres of full grown forest trees, a fine apple orchard and trees of the
smaller fruits. His live stock includes about seventy-five head of choice
Short-horn cattle, but he is working his way toward the breeding of road
horses, having some fine and valuable specimens of Hambletonians. In the
care and feeding of his stock Mr. Buffum has gathered around him all the
conveniences, having ample stabling, watering troughs, etc.
In addition to his extensive farming interests Judge Buffum has always been
a prominent man in public affairs, filling many positions of trust and
responsibility. He was elected to the office of County Judge in the fall of
1873, and subsequently was elected County Treasurer, serving his full term
with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Democratic in
politics, the fact that he holds his office in a Republican stronghold is
indicative of the estimation in which he is held by the people of the
county. Almost from the time of his coming here he has been an incumbent of
the local offices, a member of the School Board, etc.
One of the most important events in the life of our subject was his marriage
with Miss Sarah A. Mills, which was celebrated at the home of the bride in
Knox County, Ill., Feb. 28, 1856. Of this union there have been born seven
children, five of whom are living, namely: Esther Estelle, Clara Belle,
Martha Lodema, Lou and Josephine. With the exception of the eldest daughter
they are all at home with their parents. Esther E. is the wife of Mr. J. E.
Davis, of Grafton, Neb., and the mother of one child, a daughter, Carrie L.
The children of our subject have been given a thorough education, and are
bright and intelligent, doing honor to their ancestry and parental training.
Mrs. Sarah A. (Mills) Buffum was born near Columbus, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1838,
and lived there until reaching womanhood. She then removed to Illinois with
her parents. The latter were John and Tempa (Hatch) Mills, and the father
was a native of Vermont, and a farmer by occupation. He spent his last years
in Knox County, Ill., dying in 1858, at the advanced age of sixty-three
years. The mother had passed away when her daughter Sarah A. was but a
child, in Madison County, Ohio.
Stephen Smith Buffum, the father of our subject, was born in Vermont, Oct.
22, 1802. He left the Green Mountain State early in life, migrating to New
York, and when about fifteen or sixteen years old sought the Far West.
Ashtabula County, Ohio, at that time came under this description, and young
Buffum, taking up a tract of land which was covered with timber, felled the
trees and built up for himself a good homestead. He married Miss Esther
Mann, of Ashtabula County, and they became the parents of six sons and two
daughters, seven of whom lived to mature years. In 1836 he left Ohio, and
settled among the pioneers of Knox County, Ill., being the third family in
Salem Township. There again he proceeded as before, eliminating a homestead
from the wilderness, although he had prairie land to work upon instead of
timber. His first purchase was 160 acres, to which he subsequently added a
like amount, becoming owner of half a section. Here he lived and labored
until quite well advanced in years, then, in 1860, sold out and removed to
Yates City, where he engaged first in the grain trade and later in general
merchandising. He was a hale, hearty and intelligent old gentleman, and died
in February, 1871, at the age of about sixty-nine years.
Mrs. Esther (Mann) Buffum died in October, 1845, and the father of our
subject was then married to Miss Diantha L. Atwood, who is now in Yates
City, Ill. He was prominent in local affairs in Illinois, holding the
offices of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace for many years, and in the
Masonic fraternity was a Knight Templar, high in the order. Religiously, he
was a Universalist in belief during the later years of his life, although
when in Ohio he attended the Episcopal Church, walking six miles to and from
the house of worship.
The grandfather of our subject, also Stephen Buffum by name, was a native of
Vermont, and settled in Fulton County, Ill., fully as early if not earlier
than 1830. He was married in Vermont, and reared a large family. He was one
of the earliest pioneers of that region, and acquired a good property. He
spent his last days among his children, and had a sufficient income to
maintain him comfortably. His death took place between 1850 and 1860, after
he had reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. He served with one of
his sons in the Black Hawk War.
Contributed by Todd Walter, extracted from the 1889 Portrait and Biographical Album of Johnson and Pawnee Counties, Nebraska, Chapman Brothers, Chicago.
