From the Stark County news, Wednesday, January 7, 1925
Emery S. Buffum Dies Following Long Sickness
Civil War Veteran Dies in Long Beach, Funeral in Toulon Monday.
Following a general physical decline of nearly two years, Emery S. Buffum, aged Civil War veteran and for many years a resident of Stark county, passed away at his home at 1085 Atlantic Street, Long Beach, California, Monday morning, January 5, 1925. The news of his death was received here Monday evening by his son, Elmer H. Buffum.
Although Mr. Buffum had been in feeble health for some time, his condition did not become particularly alarming until last November when he was taken ill. From that time, his health declined rapidly and the end was not unexpected. Had he lived two days longer, he would have attained his 83rd year.
According to a telegram received by E.H. Buffum from California relatives, the funeral services will be held at the Methodist church in Toulon Monday afternoon, January 12. It is expected that the remains will arrive Sunday.
Life Sketch
Emery S. Buffum, a resident of Stark County for more than half a century, was born at Rock Island, Illinois, January 7, 1842, and died January 5, 1925, at his home in Long Beach, California. His grandfather, Jonathan Buffum was born in Vermont and on coming to the West soon after the Black Hawk War, settled in Canton, Illinois. Later he removed to and settled in Rock Island, erecting the first brick building in that city. This was a hotel and for a number of years he continued actively in the hotel business. He afterward removed to Andalusia, where he spent his last years. During the period of the Black Hawk War he made his home in Monmouth. His son, Abel C. Buffum, was born in Ohio, and was among the first settlers of Rock Island, establishing his home there about 1832, which was the year in which the Black Hawk War occured whereby the question of Indian supremacy in Illinois was forever ended. He was married in Knoxville to Miss Lucinda N. Pease, a native of Vermont. For a long time, Able C. Buffum carried on farming in Rock Island county, but afterward moved to Knox county and eventually became a resident of Taylor county, Iowa, where he lived for a number of years. At length, he went to California, taking up his residence in Anderson, Shasta county, where he lived retired until his death, which occured when he had reached the advanced age of 84 years. He was married three times, being survived by his wife.
Emery S. Buffum was the only son of his father's first marriage. He was reared in Knox county, and acquired his education in the common schools. August 19, 1861, when a youth of 19 years, he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in Company B, Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under command of Colonel John C. Black. He participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, where he was wounded in the breast and because of the serious injury, he was afterward honorable discharged. We understand there are but two members of his old company surviving, Julius Kelsey, a brother-in-law, of Winnebago, Minnesota, and Andrew Anderson, of Galva.
Married in 1864
Later Mr. Buffum returned to Stark county and went upon a farm. May 17, 1864, he was married to Miss Anna L. Himes, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Charles and Laura Himes, who were among the pioneer settlers of this county. After cultivating rented land for two years Mr. Buffum purchased 88 acres which was entirely a wild tract. With characteristic energy he began to develop and improve the property and afterward extended the boundaries of his farm as his financial resources increased until he became the owner of 180 acres in Goshen and also other land in the county. Upon his home place he erected a good residence and substantial outbuildings. He continued farming until 1901, then removing to Toulon.
To Mr. and Mrs. Buffum were born six sons and five daughers, as follows: Charles A., of Long Beach, California; Edwin E. of Long Beach, California; Elmer H. of Toulon; George N., who passed away at Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, 16 October 1924; Perry H., of Hayfield, Minnesota; Roy L., of Long Beach; Laura L., wife of Simeon Dunbar, of Casey, Iowa; Clara L., wife of Fred P. Janes, of Hayfield, Minnesota; and A. May, of Long Beach. Two died in infancy, Alberta at the age of twelve years and Nellie E. at the age of ten years.
Politically Mr. Buffum was a Republican and was frequently a delegate to party conventions. He had served on the Stark County Board of Supervisors and passed all the chairs in Toulon Lodge, I.O.O.F. of which he was a past grand, and he was twice a delegate to the grand lodge. Mr. Buffum, while in Toulon was a member of the Methodist church. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and was at one time commander of the old post at Galva and later at Toulon.
Attended Historic Meetings.
In 1876 Mr. and Mrs. Buffum attended the Centennial Exposition held in Philadelphia and they also attended the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the Louisana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis and the Exposition held in Portland, Oregon. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Buffum spent their winters in California with their sons and in 1916, they moved to Long Beach where they have since made their home.