Charles G. Buffum built this home for his family in 1896.
Charles G. Buffum was born to Gustavus and Mary Washburn Buffum on April 19, 1865 in Lyons, Iowa. He came to Louisiana with his father and stepmother, Roxana in 1873. His father became the operator of La Crosse Lumber. On June 1, 1893, he married Gertrude Emily Carkener in Kansas City. They moved to Louisiana and had their home built on West Georgia Street.
Shortly after it was completed they had their first child. Mary Frances Buffum was born on May 30, 1898. Their second child, Charles G. Jr. was born on August 1, 1904.Charles had a successful career, first working in the lumber business with his brother and father. He later worked as an attorney and then the first president of the Mercantile Bank. He was very involved with the financial institutions of Louisiana. He also served as the second president of the Bank of Louisiana, a position he held until his death. He was instrumental in securing the construction of the Champ Clark Bridge. He served as the vice-president of the Missouri- Illinois Bridge Company.
Charles G. Buffum was also the person who spearheaded the effort to get Louisiana a hospital. He met with Otis Smith, a man from Louisiana who had become wealthy from the tobacco business. He suggested that Smith allocate money in his will to build a hospital in Louisiana. When Otis died in 1923, $100,000 was left for the construction of a hospital. The Smith trust was merged with $14,000 that was left by Susannah Barr and the Pike County Hospital opened in March of 1928. He served as the president of the Board of Trustees for the hospital. He passed away on December 23, 1934 and is buried in the Riverview Cemetery bear the rest of his family. 1
1. Buffum, Debby. 2007. “A Buffum Family History.”