Charles Buffum was born in Palermo, Maine in 1820, moving to Orono with his parents in 1832.
His father was a local businessman and Postmaster of that town for twelve years. Educated at the public schools of Orono, at China Academy and at Kents Hill, he formed a partnership with his brother, Albert C. Buffum, under the firm name of A.C. & C. Buffum, manufacturing lumber at Orono.
A veteran of the "Aroostook War" he served as a Private in Captain George W. Maxim’s Company and in 1868 he ran for and was elected to the Maine House of Representatives.
In 1870 and 1871 he was a member of the Senate from Penobscot County, serving as President of that body in 1871.
In 1877, by order of the Governor and Council, he personally carried out a survey to ascertain what islands on the Maine coast belonged to the State.
For three years prior to this appointment he served as a member of the Executive Council.
One year following the completion of his island survey, Buffum was appointed as one of the three Commissioners to determine the legal rights of voters in the Madawaska region.
In the fall of 1878 he was appointed Superintendent of the Reform School for Boys at Cape Elizabeth, a position he held until Governor Alonzo Garcelon took office in 1879.