John C. Buford is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, with a Ph.D. and law degrees. His volunteer contributions are varied and wide, but he was particularly instrumental in organizing the sesquicentennial celebration of Orangeville, which was celebrated as part of the 2001 Fireman's Festival. He helped organize a cemetery walk, in which local residents dressed and played the parts of prominent interred citizens, as well as helping to publish a walking tour of Orangeville, and organizing (and performing in!) a small band playing Civil War era music.

He is also active in the historic preservation of Orangeville, having successfully written nominations to place five properties on the National Register of Historic Places, including 1890 Central House, 1924 People's State Bank, and 1870 Masonic Hall. He personally bought and restored these three properties to help preserve their historic character. He also serves on the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council and gives pro bono advice to other historical and arts groups on forming nonprofit organizations, which has resulted in the formation of at least one historical society and one concert foundation.

Village President Donald L. Hoyle writes, "Orangeville is a village of 800 people, but John Buford's influence in the humanities extends throughout Northwestern Illinois and Southwestern Wisconsin."