On July 20, 1899, the Lykens Register published a line-drawing portrait and brief biography of Jacob J. Buffington, who at the time was running for Dauphin County Commissioner as a candidate of the Democratic Party.
J. J. Buffington
J. J. Buffington, a Democratic candidate for commissioner of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, is the son of Samuel Buffington, and a grandson of Major Jacob Buffington, who was commissioner of Dauphin County in 1859 when the present courthouse was built. He was born in the Borough of Gratz on November 7, 1861, and was raised on a farm near the said borough.
At the age of 16 he learned the harness making trade in Lykens with Mr. Kuntzelman and on account of lack of work he served another two years with J. G. Seacrist of Pillow, there finishing the harness trade. He also worked at a number of other places. In 1881 he came back to his home in Gratz, lived with his parents and started into business for himself. He was married in 1882 and ever since has lived in Gratz and has been in the harness business.
In 1883 he was elected as chief burgess of the Borough of Gratz and served his time till the expiration of the said office. He has held several borough offices which he has filled very faithfully. in 1895 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holds. He also held the office of deacon and elder in his church and for 12 years held the office of superintendent of the Gratz Union Sunday School. He is at present and active member of Gratztown Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 563 and also of Washington Camp, P. O. S. of A.
The responsibility of a county is upon the commissioners and should have honest and faithful men for the office and Mr. Buffington, who has treated everybody thus far with honesty and respect, is capable of holding an office such as commissioner of Dauphin County. He has many very warm friends and everyone says to him: Jacob, keep it up because you are the man we want. He is morally and intellectually able to hold such an office and the Democrats will make no mistake in nominating him.
According to results published in the Lykens Register, November 9, 1899, J. J. Buffington did not win a seat as one of the three Dauphin County Commissioners.
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Portrait and article from Newspapers.com.
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