From: History of Vernon County, Missouri. 1887, page 792

For upwards of 10 years he whose name heads this sketch has been actively and successfully engaged in farming in this county, a period of sufficient duration to render him a familiar member of the agricultural community of Moundville township, where his residence has principally been. That he is a good farmer all will admit; this is borne out by the appearance of his place and the returns which he has secured from labor spent upon his land. His estate embraces 400 acres and is kept in an excellent state of cultivation and improvement and under good management. Mr. Buford was born in Missouri— in Lafayette County, November 8, 1836, of Kentucky and Virginia parentage. John Buford, his father, a native of the Blue Grass State, was a brick mason and plasterer by trade, but the principal part of his life was spent in farm pursuits. He came to Missouri at an early day, finally dying in Saline County in April, 1852. His wife was before her marriage Miss Mary Berry, originally from the Old Dominion, though brought up in Kentucky. She became the mother of nine children, of whom John Y., the sixth child, grew up to an agricultural experience. For the most part his youth was passed in Lafayette County, but upon attaining his majority he took a trip West and spent 10 years in Salt Lake and vicinity, California, Nevada, Idaho and Montana territories, occupied in working in the mines, though without any marked success. Returning to Missouri in 1867 he resumed his former avocation of a farmer, and though commencing without anything, he was possessed of a sturdy determination and will, an energy and firm purpose which could not fail of success. In March, 1878, be came to Vernon county and has since attended closely to his present calling. A glance at the past experience of Mr. Buford reveals much to feel proud of. Only a short time ago he made a start without means or outside help. To-day he is classed among the substantial men of this township, and it is a fact that what he now owns has been obtained entirely through his individual endeavors. October 25, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Huldah A. Jones, whose birth occurred in Carroll County, Mo., though she was brought up in this county. Her father, Lewis Jones, was an early settler here and is well remembered.