Career
He served as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from the 14th to the 23rd of December, 1891, upon the deaths of the Principal Chief Joel B. Mayes and the Second Chief Henry Chambers, as he had right of succession, being president of the Senate. He later served as mayor of Vinita. After serving as Principal Chief for the second time, Buffington served as mayor of Vinita till 1917.
He died in Vinita, Oklahoma on February 11, 1938.
