My Genealogy Hound

George C. Buford, dealer in general merchandise, farm implements, etc., Mammoth Spring. Of the many names that make up the strength of the business portion of Mammoth Spring that of Mr. Buford is foremost. His business was established in 1885, and the value of the stock is estimated at about $12,000. Mr. Buford was born in Fredericktown, Mo., October 20, 1849, and is the son of Christopher Y. and Mary (Nifong) Buford, natives of South Carolina and Pennsylvania, respectively. The parents were married in Missouri, and there spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Buford died in 1855 and Mr. Buford in 1879. Her father, George W. Nifong, was a native of Pennsylvania, and moved to Southeast Missouri at a very early day, where he died at the age of ninety-eight years. Mr. Buford was married twice. He was a well to-do farmer, stock raiser and general trader, and was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. His father died in Louisiana at the age of eighty years. George C. Buford was one of six children born to his parents, and received a thorough education at Fredericktown, and at Washington University, St. Louis. He also graduated from Reed’s Commercial College, of St. Louis, in 1869. Subsequently he taught school for several years in Fredericktown, Mo., until 1871, when he removed to Newport, Ark., and there engaged in merchandising and general trading with marked success until 1884. He then came to Mammoth Spring, where he purchased the first business and residence lots sold by the town syndicate. He immediately erected buildings, and built the first brick business house in that town, besides investing largely in real estate there. He is also the owner of considerable real estate in and around Newport, and is one of the most thoroughgoing and active business men in Fulton County. He enjoys an immense trade. He was the assessor of Jackson County, Ark., for four years, and filled that position to the satisfaction of all. He has been married three times; first, in 1874, to Miss Lena Claridge, the daughter of Dr. H. B. Claridge, who came from Tennessee to Jackson County, where he was one of the leading physicians. Mrs. Buford died in 1879, and in 1883 Mr. Buford married Miss Delia Harrison, who died in 1884. In 1886 he married Miss Nettie Anderson, daughter of J. L. Anderson, who came from Iowa to Arkansas, where he is living at the present time, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Buford is a Democrat in politics, and his first presidential vote was for Horace Greeley in 1872. He has been a member of Mammoth Spring Lodge of the I. O. O. F. for twelve years. He and wife are much esteemed members of the Christian Church.