Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-12-27
ACTIVE LIFE ENDS
Passing of J. NJ. Buford After a
Protracted Ill.
ness.
WAS A LONG TIME CITIZEN
President of Rock Island SAVINGS Bank
and Prominent in Bust
ness.

Rock Island Savings bank. and one of
city, died this morning at 1870 at th>
home, 1117 Second avenue. Mr.. Blu.
ford had been in failing health FOR
some time. but until last February con
timed in personal and active super
vision of the banking institution OF
which he was the head. and even dur
ing the past year had come up town a.
frequent intervals to spend few hours
at his accustomed place of business.
His last visit at the bank was
about the first of October. and since
that time he had been confined at his
home. He had failed gradually until
the time of his death.
James NJ. Buford was born in Yer
sailles. KY. in 1892. being nearly "A
years of age. He was son of the late
John Buford. who removed with his
family in 1889 10 what was then the
village of Stephenson, later Rock Is
land. At that time there were no pub
lie schools, and James NJ. Buford OBJ.
tanned his education in Griswold col
lege. pioneer institution located in
started i'm Life Here.
Mr. Buford early began his active
and successful career being barely 2I
years of age when he embarked in
business, forming a partnership with
\. h. and T. J .Buford. under the name
of Buford Brothers. for the purpose of
conducting a wholesale grocery bust
ness and an iron foundry. After a few
years he disposed of his interest in
this partnership to n b. Buford & Son,
and joined with his brother, T. J. Blu
which was located where the Rock Is
land Buggy company's plant now
stands. on Sixteenth street and First
avenue.
His career as a banker was com
menced in 1861 by Mr. Buford. when
| he became one of the organizers of the
| First National bank holding the posi-
ton as cashier with that bank for a
period of u years Between 1884 and
| 1890 he was identified with the con
duct of the pillow manufacturing firm
of b. ID. BufOrd & Co. now the Rock
Island Pow company. In 1890 Mr.
| Buford was one of the business men
who founded the Rock Island Savings
bank, the first institution of the Kind
in the city. He became its cashier
and upon the death of the late p. l..
Mitchell in 1895, was chosen president
of the bank. an Office which he con
tinued to fill 10 the time of his death
He engaged in late years to some ex
tent in the insurance business. with
success.
| Was Mayor of the City.
Not only in business affairs. but as
well in municipal matters Mr. Buford
attained high prominence. serving one
term as mayor during the years 1869
30. Later he held the office of city
treasurer for several terms. He was
a lifelong democrat. and was always
active in the party's affairs.
He was a member of the Central
Presbyterian church and was one of its
most active supporters. He was in every
sense a representative man, one who
bore the profound respect of all who
knew him.
Mr. Buford was married Oct 9, 1857
in Kentucky, his wife, whose maiden
name was Miss Felicia J. Clarke. hav
ing died in this city June 9, 1904. One
daughter, Mrs. r. r. Gable. survives
The funeral arrangements will not
be made until the arrival of Mr.. and
Mrs. II. r. Gable from Chicago.