North Star Township Biography
CHARLES MARION CHAFFIN
Source: BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS OF GRATIOT COUNTY, MICHIGAN published by J. B. BEERS & CO., Chicago, 1906
CHARLES MARION CHAFFIN. Among the prominent and substantial citizens of Gratiot county, Michigan, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, who has been closely identified with the advancement of the material interests of this section for a number of years. Charles Marion Chaffin was born August 29, 1849, in Hancock county, Ohio, son of John Wesley and Clara Ann (Evitts) Chaffin, the former born in West Virginia, in 1822, and the latter in 1826, a native of Ohio.
The parents of Charles Marion Chaffin came to Gratiot county in 1854, settling in North Star on Section 30, where John Wesley Chaffin followed farming and stock buying until his death, which occurred in November, 1874, at the age of fifty-two years. In the fifties he was largely engaged in buying furs for Detroit dealers. His wife departed this life in January, 1905. They had eight children, six of whom are now living, as follows: Charles M., Homer W., Theodore A., Clara L., Perry F., and Edith L.
Charles Marion Chaffin was but five years of age when his parents brought him to Gratiot county. He was reared in North Star township, where he has always resided, and received his education in the common schools of that township, and at Ithaca, and the Agricultural College at Lansing, Michigan, which latter place he attended but a short time, being called home on the death of his father to take charge of the farm. He taught school for twenty years during the winter seasons, including also several summer seasons, and became well and favorably known throughout the township as an educator. Farming has been his chief occupation, but for the past seven years he has been largely engaged in photography, taking views of farm residences, teams, stock, family reunions, schools, portraits and interior views. Charles M. Chaffin owns thirty acres of highly improved farm land in North Star township. He has been a justice of the peace for four years, township clerk for two years, school moderator for a time, township superintendent of schools under the old system, and has been school inspector and truant officer for the last two years. He has always been identified with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church, with which he has been connected for nearly a quarter of a century, and at present is superintendent of the Sunday-school.
Charles Marion Chaffin was united in marriage in North Star township, June 25, 1876, with Miss Sarah Barnes, born in England, September 30, 1844, daughter of the late John and Susannah (Watson) Barnes, natives of England, and sister of State Senator George Barnes, of Howell, Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Chaffin one child was born, Bessie A., in 1883, who married H. Henry Wright, a resident of North Star, in 1905. Mrs. Charles Marion Chaffin died in October, 1898, in North Star township. She had been a school teacher in Gratiot county, and had been educated in the public schools of this county, and at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. She was a loving wife and mother, and a good Christian woman. Mr. Chaffin is a generous and charitable citizen and is esteemed and respected for his many sterling traits of character. Mr. Chaffin is, we might add, a veritable pioneer, as he attended the first Fourth of July celebration held in the county, and also the first county fair, being a life member of the association. He is a charter member of the Gratiot Teachers' Association, and is secretary of the Ohio Picnic Association.
Created on ... October 09, 2001