From the Stark County news, Wednesday, 22 October 1924
Word was received here Saturday of the death of George Buffum who for many years lived northwest of LaFayette. Mr. Buffum who was 47 years of age at the time of his death, was born on the old Buffum homestead a mile and a half from LaFayette, and grew to manhood in that vicinity. He was married to Miss Addie Newton, of Toulon, who with two sons, Walter and Charles, and daughter Anna, survive him. An older daughter, Louise, preceded him, about six or seven years ago. Mr. Buffum moved to Lang, Saskatchewan several years ago, where he has since resided. His death occurred at a hospital in Regina, after a short illness which was diagnosed as meningitis. The body was brought to Toulon, Sunday morning, where funeral services were held the following day. Mr. Buffum had many warm friends in LaFayette and vicinity who will deeply regret his death.
Perry Buffum and Mrs. Fred Janes, of Hayfield, Minnesota, went to Toulon to attend the funeral of their brother, George, Monday morning.
Untimely Death of G.N. Buffum Terminates Useful Life.
The news of the passing of George N. Buffum at a hospital in Regina, Canada, Thursday morning, was received by relatives and friends in this vicinity with keen regret. About three weeks ago, Mr. Buffum was taken ill and his condition slowly grew worse. At the hospital, the attendent physician diagnosed his illness as a form of sleeping sickness. Although the news of his sickness was learned here some time ago, his passing came as a distinct shock to his wide circle of Stark county relatives and friends.
Canadain newspapers paid fine tributes to the deceased. J.G. Robertson, livestock commissioner, stated that he was one of the most valuable men in the agricultural life of Canada. His passing will be a great loss to the livestock industry of Western Canada, for he was a real constructive breeder, a man who gave freely of his energy and his time to the improvement of the industry in which he was so keenly interested.
Mr. Buffum held many positions in the agricultural world. he was past president of the Saskatchewan Sheep Breeders Association, and as a director of the Regina Exhibition Association. At the time of his passing he was vice-president of the Canadian Cooperative Wool Growers' Association.
Brief services were conducted Friday morning at Wright's Funeral Home in Canada, following which Mrs. Buffum, wife of the deceased, accompanied the body to Toulon. She was met at St. Paul by Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Newton, of Toulon. Services were conducted Monday afternoon at 2:30 at the Methodist Church. Reverend M.B. VanLeer was in charge of the services and was assisted by Reverend M.J. Norton and Reverend Ray Starr.
Appropriate song service was rendered by Mrs. E.H. Lloyd and Mrs. George Brace who sang, "I Shall See HIm," "Whispering Hope," and "Abide With Me
The body bearers were Mssers. F.C. McClenahan, Carl McClenahan, Harry Wilson and Clyde Berfield, all of Toulon and Messers, Frank White and Tirus Kelly, of LaFayette.
Interment was in the Toulon cemetery.
Those from out of town who attended the services were Mr. and Mrs. Simeon Dunbar, Eddie Dunbar and daughter, and Forest Dunbar, of Casey, Iowa; E.E. Buffum, Mrs. May Nicholson, of Long Beach, California; Mrs. Fred Janes, and Perry Buffum, of Hayfield, Minnesota; Reverend and Mrs. Vanagy Jacobs, of Williamsfield; Mr. and Mrs. Homer Himes, of Galva; Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith and son and Mr. and Mrs. Milo Himes and son, of LaFayette.
Sketch Of Life
The following sketch was read at the service.
George Nelson Buffum, fourth son of Emery S. and Anna (Himes) Buffum, was born 25 April 1877, at the Buffum homestead just north of LaFayette, Stark county, Illinois, and was called to his Eternal Home, 16 October 1924 in Regina, Canada, not far from his farm home.
He received his early education at the Himes school, later completing a course at the LaFayette High School. Following this he attended Toulon Academy and the University of Illinois. He was an apt student and an ardent lover of clean sports and always found great pleasure in baseball, football, long distance running, bicycle racing and other athletics. Music meant much to him and in the home, the school, and the church he was glad to put his splendid talents to use. He was one of the organizers of the LaFayette Band and early became skilful on his baritone instrument. Gladly he gave his time and talents with his beloved bariton in leading the music of the church and Sunday school.
Early in his teens he united with the Baptist church in Galva. Later he became an active member of the LaFayette Methodist Episcopal church and served faithfully and well on its Official Board and as superintendent of the Sunday school.
On 13 December 1900 he was united in marriage with Miss Addie M. Newton, at Toulon, and they established a home on his uncle's farm, just opposite his boyhood home. In 1906, they moved to the Buffum homestead and resided there until 1 January 1913, when they removed to found a new home near Bechard, Saskatchewan, Canada, where they have since resided.
Four children were born to them, A. Louise, Walter Emery, Charles R., and Anna F. 18 January 1919, a great sorrow came to them in the death of their first born, Louise, her death resulting from influenza and pneumonia, while attending the University in Regina. The other children, now grown to young manhood and womanhood, survive to be the comfort and stay of the beloved companion, the wife and mother. He is also survived by his aged parents, but the separation will not be for long, and by three sisters and five brothers: Mrs. Laura L. Dunbar, of Casey, Iowa; Charles A., and Edwin E., of Long Beach, California; Clara L. Janes, of Hayfield, Minnesota; Elmer H., of Toulon; Perry H., of Hayfield, Minnesota; and Dr. Roy L. and Anna May, both of Long Beach, California, where also the aged parents live.
With all of the children born to consecrated Christian parents and the prayers offered as a family for more than sixty years, often with a voice choked with emotion, have done much to make for the good citizenship evidenced by the lives of the deceased and the sisters and brothers, and for the easily recognized bond of affection between them all. Two sisters, Alberta J. and Nellie E., were called by death in the winter of 1879 and 1880 when the dread scourge of diptheria visited the entire neighborhood and the Death Angel visited almost every home. A kind Providence has spared this family almost 45 years from being again broken.
He enlisted in 1898 in the Spanish American War, but the victory was won before the Company was called to service. He held membership in the fraternal orders of the Modern Woodmen and the Macabees.
For many years he has been a great lover of blooded livestock and he delighted to engage in the fitting, exhibition, and judging as such. He exhibited at many of the livestock exhibitions of Illinois and upon going to Canada engaged actively in the exhibitions in all the principal cities of western Canada, where his ability was early recognized, and he was glad to cooperate with others in putting the livestock industry of the great provinces on the proper footing. He was an official in the various Livestock and Grain Growers' Associations of Canada, and will be greatly missed by his co-workers there.
He was a great reader of worthwhile subjects and was a veritable storehouse of information. Combining with this a genial, generous personality, he naturally drew men to him and their lives were enriched by such contact. He firmly believed that life is measured by deeds, not words.
His life was an unusually useful one and he never a duty, but leaves to his family the rich heritage of a life well lived, though to the human viewpoint, cut off while in the midst of its broad activities.