Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-05-28
DEATH OF B. D. BUF0RD.
One of Rock Islands Most PrOmi-
ment Citizens Passes Away.
Biographical sketch of Leading and
-. Influential Ciuzen and manu-
facturer-The Funeral.

Basil D. Buford died at the Buford
homestead at the head of Eighteenth
street Il $50 last evening.
The announcement of his death, while
it will be q shock to some and carry sad
ness to many hearts, the sad event was
not surprise to those to whom the de-
ceased was nearest and dearest. Mr..
Buford had been siling for q number Of
years, his sufferings being attributable
primarily to Brights disease. which was
complicated with other ills toward the
end. however.
Basil Duke Buford was born in Scott
county. KY, Dec. II, 1885, and when
yet quite Young came with his parents,
Mr.. aud Mrs. Charles Buiord, to Rock
Island in the year 1862. Most of his life has
been spent here. His father was one OF
the founders of the famous Buford pillow
works. The factory was completed in
1856 by Buford and Tate, the former fur
nishing the capital. B. D.. Buford grew
up in the pillow mandatory business
and on Mr. Tates retirement in 1865.
he, together with his brother L. NJ.
Buford, was admitted to partnership, and
the firm became known as B. D. Busord
& Co, The father, Charles Buford. died
in 1870. and a year later the institution
was incorporated under the title last
given above. For period of little less
than 10 years the factory prospered as few
others OF its kind have, and the firm name
bees me famous. But on New Years eve.
1880, the works were destroyed by fire
with loss o. $3.50. 600 above insurance.
As early the next spring as possible re-
building operations we're commenced on
larger scale. but high water inteIfered,
disaster, seemed to follow disaster, and the
spring of 1882 arrived before the works
were completed. The season proved an
early one and the carrying over of stock,
the depreciation in prices OF all materials,
etc, resulted in losses half as great as
those of the fire. About the same time
the compsnY's warehouse at St. Paul was
destroyed by fire, and these combined
misfortunes resulted in an assignment.
Out of the ruins of the former company
sprsng the Rock Island Plow company,
with capital stock of SS00.000 with MIR &.
Buford as managing director, q position
he retained until 1885, when he resigned
ana since which time he has not
engaged actively in business pursuits.
NJ. Buford never married, and his
home had always been with his mother
Mrs. Lucy A. Butord. at the Buford man
sion, where he died, His mother sur
wives him, as do his brothers, Maj, L NJ
Buford, of this city. and George Buford
of ST. Joseph, Mo, his sisters. Mrs. S. B.
Edson. of this city, now abroad, Mrs
Thomas Bsrbee, of Carroll, LOVE-, anC
Miss Charlotte Buford, Miss Lucy BuforC
and Miss Blanche Buford, of this city.
Mr.. Buford was possessed of splendid
business talents, He was progressive
A-!4ACO aAu pAU4IS SpllAtCOB Ill COL uCs
and enthusiastic democrat, always promi
nent IN the work and councils of thu
party, but never seeking political prefer.
ment, although he was one of the frs
and las; in the field in campaign. II
the social history of Rock Island he like
wise took prominent part. In q wore
he was one of the citys Representative,
citizens, and his loss will be deepl!
mourned by all.
The funeral will be held Monday morn
ing from the Buford mansion, Rev. W
s. Marquis officiating. The pail bearer
will be: Messrs ]. Conner, John Cru
bsugh, Henry Carse, William jackson, J
n. Huutoon and s. A. Lynde.