 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2014) |
Algernon Sidney Buford | |
|---|---|
| 4th President of the Richmond and Danville Railroad | |
| In office September 13, 1865 – December 16, 1887 | |
| Preceded by | Lewis E. Harvie |
| Succeeded by | Alfred Sully |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Richmond City | |
| In office 1887 – 1888 | |
| Preceded by | James N. Dunlop, James D. Patton, and Ashton Starke |
| Succeeded by | Walter T. Booth, Thomas Byrne, and Levin Joynes[1] |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Pittsylvania County | |
| In office 1861 – 1865 | |
| Preceded by | E. F. Keen |
| Succeeded by | M. H. Clark, Walter Coles, W. J. Fulton, and T. H. Gosney (all from 1869)[2] |
| In office 1853 – 1854 | |
| Preceded by | George Townes and William H. Wooding |
| Succeeded by | Richard M. Kirby and Thomas W. Walton[3] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 2, 1826 Rowan County, North Carolina |
| Died | May 6, 1911 (aged 85) Richmond, Virginia |
| Resting place | Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia |
| Spouse(s) | Emily Whitmell Townes (1830–1859) Kate Aubrey Wortham (1843–1875) |
| Children | 8 |
| Parent(s) | William Buford (1785–1848) and Susan Robertson Shelton (1785–1846) |
| Education | University of Virginia (BL) |
| Occupation | Railroad executive, lawyer, politician |
Algernon Sidney Buford[4] (January 2, 1826 – May 6, 1911) was a Virginian businessman, politician, and lawyer best known for his 22-year presidency of the Richmond and Danville Railroad, during which he was responsible for growing the line from 140 miles in length to 3,000 miles in length. Born in North Carolina to parents of Virginia stock, Buford grew up in Pittsylvania County, Virginia and attended the University of Virginia from 1846 to 1848, graduating with a Bachelor of Law. For the next decade, he practiced law in Pittsylvania and Danville and became the owner and editor of the Danville Register. These occupations were interrupted by a year's service in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1853.[5]
When the Civil War broke out in Spring 1861, Buford enlisted in the Confederate States Army and was assigned to the Army of Northern Virginia, in which he served until Fall 1861. At that point, the residents of Pittsylvania County again elected him to the House of Delegates. During the war, Virginia Governor John Letcher brevetted Buford a lieutenant colonel in the Virginia militia. In this position, Buford watched over sick and injured Confederate troops at "Buford's Home" and forwarded important military supplies to soldiers on the front lines. After Appomattox in April 1865, Buford resigned from the legislature and returned to Danville. He was elected President of the Richmond and Danville Railroad on September 13, 1865, and consequently moved back to Richmond in early 1866.[6]
Over the next two decades, Buford guided the railroad through its best years. In 1866, the R&D had 154 miles of track and $284,790 in profit.[7] By 1886, it had grown to 2,670 miles of track and $1,767,662 in profit.[8] Adjusting for deflation in the late 19th century, Buford delivered a 1,050% growth in profit over 20 years.[9] In the course of those years, however, the controlling interests in the company became contrary to Buford's established policies of management and he tendered his resignation in late 1886.
For the next few years of his life, Buford devoted himself to the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical Society and served as its president for four years. In 1893, he ran for governor of Virginia but was defeated by Charles T. O'Ferrall.[10] He was also involved with the direction of the Merchants National Bank of Richmond. In 1911, Algernon S. Buford died at his home in Richmond and was buried at Hollywood Cemetery.
- ^ "List of members from Richmond City, starting in 1885-87 and ending in 1889-90". history.house.virginia.gov. Virginia House of Delegates Clerk's Office. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ "List of members from Pittsylvania County, starting in 1863-65 and ending in 1871-73". history.house.virginia.gov. Virginia House of Delegates Clerk's Office. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ "List of members from Pittsylvania County, starting in 1852-53 and ending in 1855-56". history.house.virginia.gov. Virginia House of Delegates Clerk's Office. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ His name is often written as A. S. Buford
- ^ Barringer, Paul B.; Garnett, James M.; Page, Rosewell, eds. (1904). University of Virginia: Its History, Influence, Equipment and Characteristics. New York: Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 459–460. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Tyler, Lyon G., ed. (1909). Men of Mark in Virginia: Ideals of Americans Life. Washington, D.C.: Men of Mark Publishing Company. p. 57. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Barnwell, R. G.; Bell, Edwin Q., eds. (1867). De Bow's Review, Devoted to the Restoration of the Southern States, and the Development of the Wealth and Resources of the Country: Volume III: After the War series. New York: Heirs of J. D. B. De Bow. pp. 439–440. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Poor's Manual of Railroads, Vol. 19. New York: H. V. and H. W. Poor. 1886. pp. 665–666. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ "CPI Inflation Calculator". Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ Tyler, Lyon G., ed. (1909). Men of Mark in Virginia: Ideals of Americans Life. Washington, D.C.: Men of Mark Publishing Company. pp. 57–58. Retrieved 5 March 2022.