HIRAM, b. Apr. 15, 1843, at East Union Township, Wayne Co., O. ; from earliest years strong and athletic, a champion wrestler in his time whom few wished to tackle, and with a record for long jumping. His school education was limited to what he received in the little district school-house, which still stands, but it made him an accurate speller, a good mathematician and penman. In common with his brothers he inherited a rare mechanical talent which has served him well all through a busy life, and enabled him to make several inventions which he never patented but which are now in general use. He started out early for himself, earning but fifty cents a day harvesting, splitting rails, or assisting in framing the heavy frame barns of those days. But before 22 years of age he had learned the cabinet maker's trade from the smoothing plane to the finest hand made dovetailing and veneering.
Before this, however, on July 29, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Capt. Hugh's Company D, 52d Regt. of Ohio National Guards. It was the home militia organized to train and equip men for the U. S. service. On May 2, 1864, under the call for one hundred thousand men for one hundred day's service, he was mustered in and sent to Washington, D. C., where in Co. C, 169th Regt. of Ohio National Guard Infantry, he did guard duty at Fort Ethan Allen on the banks of the Potomac ; and was honorably discharged at the expiration of service, on Sept. 4, 1864, and draws a pension.
Returning home he entered into partnership with his brother Norman in cabinet making in Orrville, O., and installed the first improved steam engine in that place, which, by the way, is the sole source of power for the pipe organ factory in that little city today. Soon they added the undertaking business. But while, about 1871, a new three-story brick building was being erected, a fire destroyed nearly their whole stock, which had been moved to rented rooms. But nothing daunted a new partnership was formed, Norman preferring to move to the farm, Simon Brennerman being the new partner, an excellent business man, and soon afterwards A. J. Shontz joined the firm and they organized a new organ company, manufacturing the Ohio Beauty parlor and church organs. Mr. Shontz soon retiring from the company, H. W. Chaffin with three others continued the business until the great organ corporations of Chicago and New Jersey got well under way, filling the country with cheap organs, when he gradually closed out the business with profit. He had worked in the shop himself, continually improving the mechanism and action of the organs, and now his invention of the lever movement for raising the mute valves is in general use.
In 1879, having sold the furniture and undertaking business, he moved his family to a farm near Virden, 111. This new venture proved a success to which the two older boys and his daughter contributed. But in 1890, these three having gone out into the world for themselves, the old farm homestead was rented, and with Leander Ames, a nephew of his wife, Mr. Chaffin engaged in milling and grain business in Caldwell, Kan., whither the remainder of the family removed later in the year. In partnership with Mr. Ames, and known as The Calwell Milling Co., they are operating one of the most successful mills in southern Kansas. Mr. Chaffin helped plan and build from the foundation this, the first flouring mill in that part of the country. He also assisted with much hard labor and financial aid in the building of the new Presbyterian church in his home town.
He was m. Sept, 28, 1865, to Lear Weaver, dau. of Joseph and Magdalene (Webber) of Switzerland, b. Jan. 20, 1847, and grew to girlhood near East Union Township, Wayne Co., O. She proved a most congenial wife and devoted mother, laboring constantly body and soul for the success and honor of her family and home. Of this union five children were b., four at Orrville, O., and one (Viola) in Macoupin Co., 111.:
i. Wellman F., b. Aug. 14, 1866.
ii. Harvey H., b. Mar. 2, 1869.
iii. Mertie B., b. June 18, 1871 ; m. Mar. 5, 1890, Jesse E. Wallace, b. Jan. 11, 1867, a farmer of Macoupin Co., 111., where four children were born to them. She d. suddenly Sept. 14, 1898. Children: 1. Harrie, b. Dec. 22, 1890; m. Aug. 23, 1911, Nora P. Edwards, b. Feb. 14, 1892. 2. Eva F., b. Apr. 24, 1892; m. Aug. 2, 1911, Loyd M. Hays, a neighboring farmer, b. Mar. 10, 1891, at Girard, 111. 3. Fern, b. June 25, 1897. 4. Ruth Chaffin, b. Sept. 13, 1898, a few hours before her mother's death. She is now being cared for at her grandfather Chaffin's home.
iv. Merwin, b. Nov. 14, 1877.
V. Viola Mae, b. July 31, 1880, in Macoupin Co., 111.; m. June 5, 1891, at Caldwell, Kan. Robert Davis, b. Mar. 28, 1877, in Salem, Neb. He holds a division office in the railway mail service and lives in Caldwell. Mrs. Hiram Chaffin, the mother, d. Jan. 22, 1883, and was buried at Girard, 111. Through her married life she had been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Nearly two years after his first wife's death, Mr. Chaffin m., Nov. 5, 1884, Mrs. Belle Buckwalter of Orrville, b. Mar. 5, 1856, in Elkhart, Ind. ; dau. of John and Sarah (Walters), Rodebaugh. Of this union one child was b., viz.
vi. Bertie, b. Jan. 18, 1887; an exceptionally promising boy, who showed beautiful qualities of mind and an attractive personal appearance, but to the great grief of parents and friends he became a victim of diphtheria, and d. Nov. 6, 1891.
Those who have known Hiram W. Chaffin say he has been the hardest working man they ever knew, and it is to this that his great ambition largely owes its successful reward. It has been said that he could make an^'thing that could be made from wood or iron. Although nearly TO years old, he remains hale and hearty; the scars of an active life are not wholly wanting, but he still conducts his successful business himself.
From an early 20th century book on the History of Robert Chaffin and his descendants and of the other Chaffins in America
Before this, however, on July 29, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Capt. Hugh's Company D, 52d Regt. of Ohio National Guards. It was the home militia organized to train and equip men for the U. S. service. On May 2, 1864, under the call for one hundred thousand men for one hundred day's service, he was mustered in and sent to Washington, D. C., where in Co. C, 169th Regt. of Ohio National Guard Infantry, he did guard duty at Fort Ethan Allen on the banks of the Potomac ; and was honorably discharged at the expiration of service, on Sept. 4, 1864, and draws a pension.
Returning home he entered into partnership with his brother Norman in cabinet making in Orrville, O., and installed the first improved steam engine in that place, which, by the way, is the sole source of power for the pipe organ factory in that little city today. Soon they added the undertaking business. But while, about 1871, a new three-story brick building was being erected, a fire destroyed nearly their whole stock, which had been moved to rented rooms. But nothing daunted a new partnership was formed, Norman preferring to move to the farm, Simon Brennerman being the new partner, an excellent business man, and soon afterwards A. J. Shontz joined the firm and they organized a new organ company, manufacturing the Ohio Beauty parlor and church organs. Mr. Shontz soon retiring from the company, H. W. Chaffin with three others continued the business until the great organ corporations of Chicago and New Jersey got well under way, filling the country with cheap organs, when he gradually closed out the business with profit. He had worked in the shop himself, continually improving the mechanism and action of the organs, and now his invention of the lever movement for raising the mute valves is in general use.
In 1879, having sold the furniture and undertaking business, he moved his family to a farm near Virden, 111. This new venture proved a success to which the two older boys and his daughter contributed. But in 1890, these three having gone out into the world for themselves, the old farm homestead was rented, and with Leander Ames, a nephew of his wife, Mr. Chaffin engaged in milling and grain business in Caldwell, Kan., whither the remainder of the family removed later in the year. In partnership with Mr. Ames, and known as The Calwell Milling Co., they are operating one of the most successful mills in southern Kansas. Mr. Chaffin helped plan and build from the foundation this, the first flouring mill in that part of the country. He also assisted with much hard labor and financial aid in the building of the new Presbyterian church in his home town.
He was m. Sept, 28, 1865, to Lear Weaver, dau. of Joseph and Magdalene (Webber) of Switzerland, b. Jan. 20, 1847, and grew to girlhood near East Union Township, Wayne Co., O. She proved a most congenial wife and devoted mother, laboring constantly body and soul for the success and honor of her family and home. Of this union five children were b., four at Orrville, O., and one (Viola) in Macoupin Co., 111.:
i. Wellman F., b. Aug. 14, 1866.
ii. Harvey H., b. Mar. 2, 1869.
iii. Mertie B., b. June 18, 1871 ; m. Mar. 5, 1890, Jesse E. Wallace, b. Jan. 11, 1867, a farmer of Macoupin Co., 111., where four children were born to them. She d. suddenly Sept. 14, 1898. Children: 1. Harrie, b. Dec. 22, 1890; m. Aug. 23, 1911, Nora P. Edwards, b. Feb. 14, 1892. 2. Eva F., b. Apr. 24, 1892; m. Aug. 2, 1911, Loyd M. Hays, a neighboring farmer, b. Mar. 10, 1891, at Girard, 111. 3. Fern, b. June 25, 1897. 4. Ruth Chaffin, b. Sept. 13, 1898, a few hours before her mother's death. She is now being cared for at her grandfather Chaffin's home.
iv. Merwin, b. Nov. 14, 1877.
V. Viola Mae, b. July 31, 1880, in Macoupin Co., 111.; m. June 5, 1891, at Caldwell, Kan. Robert Davis, b. Mar. 28, 1877, in Salem, Neb. He holds a division office in the railway mail service and lives in Caldwell. Mrs. Hiram Chaffin, the mother, d. Jan. 22, 1883, and was buried at Girard, 111. Through her married life she had been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Nearly two years after his first wife's death, Mr. Chaffin m., Nov. 5, 1884, Mrs. Belle Buckwalter of Orrville, b. Mar. 5, 1856, in Elkhart, Ind. ; dau. of John and Sarah (Walters), Rodebaugh. Of this union one child was b., viz.
vi. Bertie, b. Jan. 18, 1887; an exceptionally promising boy, who showed beautiful qualities of mind and an attractive personal appearance, but to the great grief of parents and friends he became a victim of diphtheria, and d. Nov. 6, 1891.
Those who have known Hiram W. Chaffin say he has been the hardest working man they ever knew, and it is to this that his great ambition largely owes its successful reward. It has been said that he could make an^'thing that could be made from wood or iron. Although nearly TO years old, he remains hale and hearty; the scars of an active life are not wholly wanting, but he still conducts his successful business himself.
From an early 20th century book on the History of Robert Chaffin and his descendants and of the other Chaffins in America
HIRAM, b. Apr. 15, 1843, at East Union Township, Wayne Co., O. ; from earliest years strong and athletic, a champion wrestler in his time whom few wished to tackle, and with a record for long jumping. His school education was limited to what he received in the little district school-house, which still stands, but it made him an accurate speller, a good mathematician and penman. In common with his brothers he inherited a rare mechanical talent which has served him well all through a busy life, and enabled him to make several inventions which he never patented but which are now in general use. He started out early for himself, earning but fifty cents a day harvesting, splitting rails, or assisting in framing the heavy frame barns of those days. But before 22 years of age he had learned the cabinet maker's trade from the smoothing plane to the finest hand made dovetailing and veneering.
Before this, however, on July 29, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Capt. Hugh's Company D, 52d Regt. of Ohio National Guards. It was the home militia organized to train and equip men for the U. S. service. On May 2, 1864, under the call for one hundred thousand men for one hundred day's service, he was mustered in and sent to Washington, D. C., where in Co. C, 169th Regt. of Ohio National Guard Infantry, he did guard duty at Fort Ethan Allen on the banks of the Potomac ; and was honorably discharged at the expiration of service, on Sept. 4, 1864, and draws a pension.
Returning home he entered into partnership with his brother Norman in cabinet making in Orrville, O., and installed the first improved steam engine in that place, which, by the way, is the sole source of power for the pipe organ factory in that little city today. Soon they added the undertaking business. But while, about 1871, a new three-story brick building was being erected, a fire destroyed nearly their whole stock, which had been moved to rented rooms. But nothing daunted a new partnership was formed, Norman preferring to move to the farm, Simon Brennerman being the new partner, an excellent business man, and soon afterwards A. J. Shontz joined the firm and they organized a new organ company, manufacturing the Ohio Beauty parlor and church organs. Mr. Shontz soon retiring from the company, H. W. Chaffin with three others continued the business until the great organ corporations of Chicago and New Jersey got well under way, filling the country with cheap organs, when he gradually closed out the business with profit. He had worked in the shop himself, continually improving the mechanism and action of the organs, and now his invention of the lever movement for raising the mute valves is in general use.
In 1879, having sold the furniture and undertaking business, he moved his family to a farm near Virden, 111. This new venture proved a success to which the two older boys and his daughter contributed. But in 1890, these three having gone out into the world for themselves, the old farm homestead was rented, and with Leander Ames, a nephew of his wife, Mr. Chaffin engaged in milling and grain business in Caldwell, Kan., whither the remainder of the family removed later in the year. In partnership with Mr. Ames, and known as The Calwell Milling Co., they are operating one of the most successful mills in southern Kansas. Mr. Chaffin helped plan and build from the foundation this, the first flouring mill in that part of the country. He also assisted with much hard labor and financial aid in the building of the new Presbyterian church in his home town.
He was m. Sept, 28, 1865, to Lear Weaver, dau. of Joseph and Magdalene (Webber) of Switzerland, b. Jan. 20, 1847, and grew to girlhood near East Union Township, Wayne Co., O. She proved a most congenial wife and devoted mother, laboring constantly body and soul for the success and honor of her family and home. Of this union five children were b., four at Orrville, O., and one (Viola) in Macoupin Co., 111.:
i. Wellman F., b. Aug. 14, 1866.
ii. Harvey H., b. Mar. 2, 1869.
iii. Mertie B., b. June 18, 1871 ; m. Mar. 5, 1890, Jesse E. Wallace, b. Jan. 11, 1867, a farmer of Macoupin Co., 111., where four children were born to them. She d. suddenly Sept. 14, 1898. Children: 1. Harrie, b. Dec. 22, 1890; m. Aug. 23, 1911, Nora P. Edwards, b. Feb. 14, 1892. 2. Eva F., b. Apr. 24, 1892; m. Aug. 2, 1911, Loyd M. Hays, a neighboring farmer, b. Mar. 10, 1891, at Girard, 111. 3. Fern, b. June 25, 1897. 4. Ruth Chaffin, b. Sept. 13, 1898, a few hours before her mother's death. She is now being cared for at her grandfather Chaffin's home.
iv. Merwin, b. Nov. 14, 1877.
V. Viola Mae, b. July 31, 1880, in Macoupin Co., 111.; m. June 5, 1891, at Caldwell, Kan. Robert Davis, b. Mar. 28, 1877, in Salem, Neb. He holds a division office in the railway mail service and lives in Caldwell. Mrs. Hiram Chaffin, the mother, d. Jan. 22, 1883, and was buried at Girard, 111. Through her married life she had been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Nearly two years after his first wife's death, Mr. Chaffin m., Nov. 5, 1884, Mrs. Belle Buckwalter of Orrville, b. Mar. 5, 1856, in Elkhart, Ind. ; dau. of John and Sarah (Walters), Rodebaugh. Of this union one child was b., viz.
vi. Bertie, b. Jan. 18, 1887; an exceptionally promising boy, who showed beautiful qualities of mind and an attractive personal appearance, but to the great grief of parents and friends he became a victim of diphtheria, and d. Nov. 6, 1891.
Those who have known Hiram W. Chaffin say he has been the hardest working man they ever knew, and it is to this that his great ambition largely owes its successful reward. It has been said that he could make an^'thing that could be made from wood or iron. Although nearly TO years old, he remains hale and hearty; the scars of an active life are not wholly wanting, but he still conducts his successful business himself.
From an early 20th century book on the History of Robert Chaffin and his descendants and of the other Chaffins in America
Before this, however, on July 29, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Capt. Hugh's Company D, 52d Regt. of Ohio National Guards. It was the home militia organized to train and equip men for the U. S. service. On May 2, 1864, under the call for one hundred thousand men for one hundred day's service, he was mustered in and sent to Washington, D. C., where in Co. C, 169th Regt. of Ohio National Guard Infantry, he did guard duty at Fort Ethan Allen on the banks of the Potomac ; and was honorably discharged at the expiration of service, on Sept. 4, 1864, and draws a pension.
Returning home he entered into partnership with his brother Norman in cabinet making in Orrville, O., and installed the first improved steam engine in that place, which, by the way, is the sole source of power for the pipe organ factory in that little city today. Soon they added the undertaking business. But while, about 1871, a new three-story brick building was being erected, a fire destroyed nearly their whole stock, which had been moved to rented rooms. But nothing daunted a new partnership was formed, Norman preferring to move to the farm, Simon Brennerman being the new partner, an excellent business man, and soon afterwards A. J. Shontz joined the firm and they organized a new organ company, manufacturing the Ohio Beauty parlor and church organs. Mr. Shontz soon retiring from the company, H. W. Chaffin with three others continued the business until the great organ corporations of Chicago and New Jersey got well under way, filling the country with cheap organs, when he gradually closed out the business with profit. He had worked in the shop himself, continually improving the mechanism and action of the organs, and now his invention of the lever movement for raising the mute valves is in general use.
In 1879, having sold the furniture and undertaking business, he moved his family to a farm near Virden, 111. This new venture proved a success to which the two older boys and his daughter contributed. But in 1890, these three having gone out into the world for themselves, the old farm homestead was rented, and with Leander Ames, a nephew of his wife, Mr. Chaffin engaged in milling and grain business in Caldwell, Kan., whither the remainder of the family removed later in the year. In partnership with Mr. Ames, and known as The Calwell Milling Co., they are operating one of the most successful mills in southern Kansas. Mr. Chaffin helped plan and build from the foundation this, the first flouring mill in that part of the country. He also assisted with much hard labor and financial aid in the building of the new Presbyterian church in his home town.
He was m. Sept, 28, 1865, to Lear Weaver, dau. of Joseph and Magdalene (Webber) of Switzerland, b. Jan. 20, 1847, and grew to girlhood near East Union Township, Wayne Co., O. She proved a most congenial wife and devoted mother, laboring constantly body and soul for the success and honor of her family and home. Of this union five children were b., four at Orrville, O., and one (Viola) in Macoupin Co., 111.:
i. Wellman F., b. Aug. 14, 1866.
ii. Harvey H., b. Mar. 2, 1869.
iii. Mertie B., b. June 18, 1871 ; m. Mar. 5, 1890, Jesse E. Wallace, b. Jan. 11, 1867, a farmer of Macoupin Co., 111., where four children were born to them. She d. suddenly Sept. 14, 1898. Children: 1. Harrie, b. Dec. 22, 1890; m. Aug. 23, 1911, Nora P. Edwards, b. Feb. 14, 1892. 2. Eva F., b. Apr. 24, 1892; m. Aug. 2, 1911, Loyd M. Hays, a neighboring farmer, b. Mar. 10, 1891, at Girard, 111. 3. Fern, b. June 25, 1897. 4. Ruth Chaffin, b. Sept. 13, 1898, a few hours before her mother's death. She is now being cared for at her grandfather Chaffin's home.
iv. Merwin, b. Nov. 14, 1877.
V. Viola Mae, b. July 31, 1880, in Macoupin Co., 111.; m. June 5, 1891, at Caldwell, Kan. Robert Davis, b. Mar. 28, 1877, in Salem, Neb. He holds a division office in the railway mail service and lives in Caldwell. Mrs. Hiram Chaffin, the mother, d. Jan. 22, 1883, and was buried at Girard, 111. Through her married life she had been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Nearly two years after his first wife's death, Mr. Chaffin m., Nov. 5, 1884, Mrs. Belle Buckwalter of Orrville, b. Mar. 5, 1856, in Elkhart, Ind. ; dau. of John and Sarah (Walters), Rodebaugh. Of this union one child was b., viz.
vi. Bertie, b. Jan. 18, 1887; an exceptionally promising boy, who showed beautiful qualities of mind and an attractive personal appearance, but to the great grief of parents and friends he became a victim of diphtheria, and d. Nov. 6, 1891.
Those who have known Hiram W. Chaffin say he has been the hardest working man they ever knew, and it is to this that his great ambition largely owes its successful reward. It has been said that he could make an^'thing that could be made from wood or iron. Although nearly TO years old, he remains hale and hearty; the scars of an active life are not wholly wanting, but he still conducts his successful business himself.
From an early 20th century book on the History of Robert Chaffin and his descendants and of the other Chaffins in America
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