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- John M. Chaffin, farmer, P. O. Clay City, was born in Scioto County, Ohio, on March 28, 1828, and is a son of Reuben and Sarah (Smith) Chaffin. The father was a native of New Hampshire, and of English descent, the mother, a native of Vermont, and died in January, 1876. The father was both a farmer and miller by occupation. His death occurred in February. 1863.
Subject was the fifth of eleven children, of whom nine are now living, viz., Osman, in Howard County, Ind. ; Mrs. Electa Smith, of Stanford Township ; Leander, in Warren County, Iowa ; Francis M. , in Page County, Iowa ;
Reuben, in San Diego County, Cal. ; Mrs.Lucy Michaelney, in Sumner County, Kan.;Benjamin F., in Warren County, Iowa ; Mrs. Roxy Newlan in Scioto County, Ohio, and John M. (our subject).
The latter' s education was received in the schools of his native county. He remained at home until twenty-one, assisting in his father's mill, and also learned the carpenter's trade. He then became a partner in a mill in Scioto County.
In 1852, he came to Clay County, and here for a number of years he followed his trade of carpenter.
In the fall of 1865, he came to his present farm, where he now owns 390 acres in Sections 13 and 24, of Township 3 north. Range 7 east. He has about 300 acres in cultivation. Mr. Chaffin was married in Stanford Township, on May 17, 1863, to Miss Mary E. Claypool, a daughter of John Claypool, of Ohio. Mrs. Chaffin was born on May 10. 1845, and is the mother of three living children, viz., Herbert Bruce, born March 27, 1864 ; Francis Marion, born December 25. 1869 ; Horatio Clyde, born January 4, 1873.
Mr. and Mrs. Chaffin are both members of the Clay City Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject is a strong Republican.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
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