Norman Geer Buxton (1872-1947) American Zoologist
Why is the unassuming man in the photo below being featured on the Johnstown Historical Society's website?
The Johnstown Historical Society wants to introduce you to Norman G. Buxton, Johnstown resident, who during the years of 1897-1902 got to travel to a part of the world that most people would not even consider visiting. As a noted American zoologist Norman was invited to become a member of the Jesup North Pacific Expedition that was affiliated with the prestigious American Museum of Natural History. The expedition wanted to focus on investigating the links between the people and the cultures of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America and the Eastern Coast of Siberia. Many anthropologists at that time feared that these cultures would be lost to colonialism and acculturation.
Thus, when Norman was in his mid-twenties he became a member of the Jesup North Pacific Expedition. His first adventure was in Point Barrow, Alaska (1897-98) where he was tasked with gathering natural history specimens and the procuring of osteological specimens. The next part of his adventure was to northeastern Siberia in 1900. For two years Norman lived in this remote region that is notorious for the length and severity of its almost snowless winters.
Thus, when Norman was in his mid-twenties he became a member of the Jesup North Pacific Expedition. His first adventure was in Point Barrow, Alaska (1897-98) where he was tasked with gathering natural history specimens and the procuring of osteological specimens. The next part of his adventure was to northeastern Siberia in 1900. For two years Norman lived in this remote region that is notorious for the length and severity of its almost snowless winters.
|
Mr. Buxton and his assistant Aleksandr Akselrod collected mainly in the area of Gichiga in northeastern Siberia, on the west coast of the Okhotsk Sea, and also at Marcova, on the middle Anadyr River, 6oo miles north of Gichiga.
Buxton partnered with Vladimir Bogoras and Vladimir Jochelson in his collecting efforts. It was recommended that Jochelson and Bogoraz were the men best fitted to contribute to the Jesup Expedition's success by their knowledge of the country and of the native languages. |
Buxton (center) with local Russian officer and his assistant Aleksandr Akselrod at Gishiga, Siberia, 1901.
|
The research work that Norman was engaged in at this location included his securing of the many specimens of birds and mammals which proved at the time to be new to science. A number of his discoveries were named for him. He is also credited as the photographer for many of the images from the expedition. Norm's collection of glass plate negatives returned with him to Johnstown and were stored in a barn behind the Buxton-Upham House.
Point Barrow, Alaska
|
Eastern Coast of Siberia
|
|
Norman Buxton was born and raised in Johnstown, Ohio
Buxton-Upham House
Norman Buxton, President of the Johnstown Bank
|
Norman was nicknamed Norm. He was born on March 6, 1872 in Johnstown, Ohio and spent much of his lifetime as a resident in the community. His parents, Col. Horton and Victoria Geer Buxton, owned the stately Victorian Gothic style home that was located across from the town square. The Buxton-Upham House sadly was demolished in 2009. Today the BellStores' gas station and convenience store is situated on the property of this once proud home of the Buxton family.
Mr. Buxton's education started in the public schools of Johnstown. He received a diploma from Doane Academy at Granville, Ohio in 1891. After attending the Ohio State University Norm continued his studies in Leland Stanford Jr. University at Palo Alto, California where he was awarded a Bachelor Arts degree in 1895. Herbert Hoover was one of his classmates. After Norman's return from the Jesup Expedition he went to Mexico in 1903 to make a collection of mammals for the Field Museum of Chicago and contributed his share toward the world’s progress along scientific lines. In 1905 Norman Buxton was asked to join Robert E. Peary's expedition to visit in the North Pole regions. Doubts have been raised about Peary's actual claim of reaching the North Pole. This was due to the lack of detailed record-keeping on the trek. Nevertheless, the National Geographic Society and the Naval Affairs Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives acknowledged Peary’s primacy at the Pole, a view supported by numerous modern analysts. In 1910 Norman was called home by the death of his father, whom he succeeded as president of the Johnstown Bank, serving in that capacity until 1922 and successfully controlling its activities. At that time, the institution was merged with the Citizens Bank and Mr. Buxton served as vice president until the death of Congressman William A. Ashbrook in 1940, when he was elected bank president, having a comprehensive understanding of the details of modern finance. He was also active in business affairs as manager of the Johnstown Elevator company which has likewise profited by his executive force and mature judgment. He was not only an astute financier and enterprising business man and lecturer, on occasions, but he was also among the leading agriculturists of Licking County. Norman G. Buxton married Laura Ellis Weaver on June 22, 1914 at Greene County, Ohio. They were married for 32 years and lived in Johnstown, Ohio during that time. They did not have children. Norman died on March 19, 1947. His obituary mentioned that he “was a constant reader. He never used idle words, but was frank and considerate. He was of a reticent nature, preferring a life of near seclusion but always ready and willing to assist in any worthy cause that arose for the good of the community. He possessed a vein of dry mirth and was not reluctant to associates.” Norm's wife Laura died in 1960. They are buried beside each other at the Green Hill Cemetery in Johnstown. |
Johnstown Independent-April 13, 1905
|
Slideshow of the Jesup Expedition 1897-1902. Photos taken by Photographer Norman G. Buxton.