Algernon S. Buford
| Algernon Sidney Buford | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 2, 1826 |
| Died | May 6, 1911 (aged 85) |
| Occupation | Railroad executive |
Algernon Sidney Buford (January 2, 1826 – May 6, 1911) of Chatham, Virginia, is best known for his presidency of the Richmond and Danville Railroad during its massive post civil war expansion into the Southern Railway system (now part of Norfolk Southern).
Buford was a graduate of the University of Virginia, and came to Chatham, Virginia, to enter the practice of law. His choice was understandable, since, several illustrious attorneys had established practices in the town, including Whitmell Pugh Tunstall, who had been the creator and first president of the Richmond and Danville Railroad.
Buford was related to Tunstall. He was Tunstall's nephew-in-law and in manner of speaking, his brother-in-law as well. He married Emily Winifred Townes, daughter of George Townes and Eliza Barker Tunstall. Eliza was the older sister of Whitmell P. Tunstall, and had reared him after the death of their mother.
Buford represented Pittsylvania County in the Virginia House of Delegates during 1853 and 1854.
During the American Civil War, in 1863, Buford was in charge of the Virginia Depot, on 13th street, south of Cary Street, (Shockoe Slip), in Richmond. After the war, he became known as Col. Buford.
With the support of Virginia Governor Francis H. Pierpont, on September 13, 1865, Colonel Buford became president of the 140-mile (230 km) Richmond and Danville Railroad (R&D). Damage from the war, including the bridge across the James River between Manchester and Richmond was repaired.
Over the next 20 years, as R&D President, Col. Buford extended the trackage to three thousand miles. The R&D's early acquisitions included the Piedmont Railroad in 1866, and the North Carolina Railroad in 1871.
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