Biography of Abraham Buford

ABRAHAM BUFORD. The name of this respected and much esteemed citizen is well and favorably known in Reynolds County, for he has been a resident of the same all his life, and his name has been intimately associated with the social, intellectual and financial growth of the county. His birth occurred on the three forks of Block River, in the east part of this county, May 1, 1840, and in this county he received his education and became familiar with the duties of farm life.

His grandfather, William Buford, was a pioneer settler of Iron County, moving there from Kentucky as early as 1825, and there passed the remainder of his life engaged in farming. He was a prominent man in his neighborhood. Four sons and probably as many daughters were born to his marriage, John Buford, father of subject, being among the eldest. The latter was born in the Old Dominion, but was reared in Kentucky, whither his parents had moved. When a young man he came to Missouri, and was married in Iron County to Miss Elizabeth Davis, whose parents were early settlers of Iron County. She was born in Virginia, and died in this county, on Block River, where she and her husband had settled at an early day, and where they had reared their children. She was an excellent wife and mother. Mr. Buford followed the occupation of a farmer. He was a Democrat, and several times represented his county in the Legislature. As the years passed by he became wealthy, owing to his good management and business ability, and was surrounded by all the comforts of life when his death occurred in 1870. To his marriage were born the following children: Nancy, deceased, married William Carty, also deceased; Mary first married George Robinson, and after his death Daniel Harvey, who disappeared during the war; Martha J., the widow of Hugh Faulkebury; Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Benjamin F. Campbell; James died when twenty-two years of age, John, William H. and Sarah died young; Abraham, subject; Lucy, twin sister of Abraham, is now the wife of John P. George, of this county; and Eliza, wife of Thomas Imboden, resides in this county. The parents were Baptists in their religious views.

Our subject’s boyhood days were passed on the old farm on Block River, and he received a fair education in the common schools. When twenty-one years of age he started out to struggle with the stern realities of life, and began his career as a farmer and stock raiser. Four years later, when twenty-five years of age, he married Miss America Moore, a native of North Carolina, and the daughter of William Moore, who came to this county about the time of the war, and is now living in Logan County. After his marriage Mr. Buford located in the valley, near Barnesville, and he now owns a good farm of 400 acres, all well improved. He has always been active in all public matters, is a stanch Democrat in politics, and has held the office of county assessor two terms. Mr. Buford is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Barnesville, and has been treasurer of the lodge since it started. Of the eleven children born to his marriage, eight are now living: Elizabeth (died young), John (died young), William (died when six years of age), Mollie, James (at home), Blanche (widow of Dr. James G. Copeland), Carter (at home), Cora, Walter, Otto and Ethel. Mr. and Mrs. Buford attend the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is clerk in the same. Aside from his home place Mr. Buford owns a farm in Dry Valley and one on Logan Creek, 1,000 acres in all. This is one of the leading families of the county.