Charles Abel Buffum (January 30, 1870 – October 1936) was an American businessman and politician.
In 1904, with his brother, Edwin E. Buffum, he moved to Long Beach, California and purchased a store that would grow into Buffum's Department Stores chain.
Buffum was known for his civic involvement; he served on the Long Beach Board of Education for six years and in 1920 became president of the Chamber of Commerce.
He married Fern Smith in 1895 and they were the parents of three children: Harry A., Thurlyne, and Dorothy Mae.
In 1922 Dorothy married Norman Chandler, who later became publisher of his family's newspaper, the Los Angeles Times.