Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 2.djvu/13

 THE SENATE AND ITS PRESIDENTS— HON. DAVID H. BUFFUM.

��Several years previous to the organiza- tion of the Great Falls Woolen Company- Mr. Buftum had taken a large interest in a similar enterprise at South Berwick, known as the Newichawanick Company, of which his brother-in-law, the late Hon. John H. Burleigh, was the active manager, they two, with the well known " Friend" Hill being the principal stock- holders, which enterprise, although a losing one at first, ultimately proved very successful. After the suddeu and startling death of Mr. Burleigh, a few months since, Mr. Buff um was chosen treasurer of the Newichawanick Com- pany. Aside from these important man- ufacturing enterprises, he has been for several years a partner with L. R. Her- som in the wool pulling and sheep-skin tanning establishment on Berwick side at Great Falls, and has, furthermore, ex- tensive manufacturing interests at Milton Mills.

As would naturally be inferred from the foregoing, Mr. Buffum has not been largely engaged in public and political life. He has, however, had sufficient ex- perience in that direction, taken in con- nection with his knowledge of practical business affairs, to qualify him for the efficient discharge of the duties now de- volving upon him as a servant of the peo- ple, in the important office which he holds. He was chosen Town Clerk of Somersworth in March, 1842. it being the election at which he cast his first vote, and was re-elected the following year. In 1846 he was elected a member of the board of Selectmen, and was subsequent- ly several times elected to the same posi- tion. In 1861 and 1862 he was one of the members of the House of Representa- tives from Somersworth, serving the first year as a member of the committee on Banks and the second year as chairman of the committee on the Reform School. In 1863, Mr. Buffum was the Republican candidate for Railroad Commissioner, running upon the ticket with Governor Gilmore. A third tieket placed in the field, defeated an election by the people, but the Republican candidates were cho- sen by the Legislature, and Mr. Buffum

��served as a member of the board of Rail- road Commissioners for the full term of three years. In the spring of 1875, his name was brought forward, though against his wish, by some of his friends, in the Republican Senatorial Convention in District No. 5, and he received a very flattering vote. Last year he was again supported and received the nomination , by nearly a unanimous vote, his election following as a matter of course. He served with ability in the last Senate, as a member of the several committees on Judiciary, Finance, Banks and State Institutions, and although one of three members of the majority party, re-elect- ed this year, he was accorded the Presi- dency by common consent. Among his associates in the Senate last year were three men who were fellow members in the House fifteen years ago, viz: Messrs. John F. Cloutman of Farmington, Natt Head of Hooksett, and James Burnap of Marlow. In the present Senate, there are also two members who were members of the House with Mr. Buffum — Messrs. Amidon of Hinsdale and Shaw of Leba- non.

Mr. Buffum was married, January 26, 1853, to Charlotte E. Stickney, daughter of Alexander H. Stickney of Great Falls, who deceased March 8, 1868, leaving him four children, three sons and a daughter, the latter also now deceased. The three sons, Edgar Stickney, Harry Austin, and David Hanson, are respectively twenty- two, twenty, and fifteen years of age. The oldest graduated at Yale College last year, and is now learning the manufac- turing business in the woolen mill at Great Falls ; the second is a member of the junior class at lale, and the young - est remains at home.

Mr. Buffum's religious associations are with the Congregational church, where he attends public worship regularly and contributes liberally for its support, though not a member of the church or- ganization. By strict integrity and cour- teous and gentlemanly bearing, he has secured the esteem of all classes of his fellow citizens who rejoice in his success both in private and public life.

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