Born on September 5, 1855, in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, Buffington received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1875 from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and read law in 1878.

He was the last appeals court judge who continued to serve in active service appointed by President Roosevelt.

Davis was forced out of office, but no formal action was taken against Buffington, who was described as being "aged, senile, and nearly blind" by that time.

He took what is now called senior status, a form of semi-retirement, on June 1, 1938, and ceased hearing cases.

[citation needed] On January 29, 1885, he married Mary Alice Simonton, of Emmitsburg, Maryland.