| dbo:abstract |
Algernon Sidney Buford (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. 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. Over the next two decades, Buford guided the railroad through its best years. In 1866, the R&D had 154 miles of track and 284,790inprofit.By1886,ithadgrownto2,670milesoftrackand284,790 in profit. By 1886, it had grown to 2,670 miles of track and 284,790inprofit.By1886,ithadgrownto2,670milesoftrackand1,767,662 in profit. Adjusting for deflation in the late 19th century, Buford delivered a 1,050% growth in profit over 20 years. 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. 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. (en) |
| rdfs:comment |
Algernon Sidney Buford (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. (en) |
