Bio: Buffington, Byron A. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Buffington, Jones, Winchester, Hoover, Barland

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) pages 660-661

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 grand parents 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 the public schools, which was subsequently supplemented with a course at the Shattuck Episcopal Military College at Faribault, Minnesota. He began his business career in 1874 as a member of the firm of G. A. Buffiugton & Son, of Eau Claire, 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, he married 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.