Contributed by Arthur Burch and Laura Greene
* Please note: The contributors are not members of this family and have no other information.*



Bio from: Historical Gazetteer and Biographical Memorial of Cattaraugus Co. NY, pub 1893
History of the Town of Persia – Chapter XLII (42)
Pages 988 & 989

CHAFFEE Family of Persia
Surnames: CHAFFEE, NICHOLS, BUGBY, ELLIS, FANCHER, CRANDALL, OSBORN, SNYDER, BECKWITH, WOODIN

Amasa L. CHAFFEE, a native of Rutland, Vt., was born Nov. 28, 1797. Aug. 24, 1819, he married Lydia Wade NICHOLS, who was born May 3, 1802, and who died July 3, 1879. In 1820, after a short residence in Attica, N. Y., he came to Gowanda and in company with his brother-in-law, Alvin BUGBY, erected a wool-carding and cloth-dressing-mill, which he conducted until 1831. He was also distinguished as the first inhabitant of Gowanda who built a brick chimney in his house. He was elected justice of the peace of Perrysburg and held the position in Perrysburg and Persia most of the time until 1843. He also conducted a book-store and sold flour, which in 1837 brought $14 per barrel. In 1838 he began a general mercantile business, which he conducted to the close of his life. He was a fifer-soldier in the War of 1812 and always interested in military affairs, being captain of militia. In 1849 and again in 1853 he represented Persia on the Board of Supervisors. He was an active member of the Methodist church and in politics was first a Democrat, but joined the Republican party at its organization. Mr. CHAFFEE died Dec. 5, 1869. Children: Lydia A. (Mrs. Dr. David E. ELLIS), of Belvidere, Ill.; Amasa W. W.; James H., of Jamestown; and Charles W., Newton A., Mary H., of Gowanda.

Amasa W. W. CHAFFEE, born at Aldrich Mills, Perrysburg (now Gowanda), July 21, 1826, was educated in his father's store, and at the age of twenty-one was admitted a partner with his father under the firm name of A. L. CHAFFEE & Son. Since then he has been constantly in mercantile business in Gowanda or engaged as a commercial traveler. July 3, 1848, he married Jane M., daughter of Harlow and Freelove (FANCHER) CRANDALL, of Sandy Hill, N. Y. Children: Marvin W., born March 12, 1851, died in Nov., 1852; Clarence M., born Nov. 23, 1853, married Helen OSBORN, of Girard, Ohio, and is a member of the firm of SNYDER, CHAFFEE & Co., of Columbus, Ohio; Vernon E., born Dec. 9, 1859, died Dec. 12, 1876; and an adopted child, born Sept. 1, 1873.

Charles Warren CHAFFEE, born July 15, 1837, received his education in the common schools and in his father's store, where he was engaged from the age of eighteen years until he was about twenty-six. For five years he was the general agent of the Singer Sewing Machine Company for Cattaraugus County and a part of Eric county. In 1872 and 1873 he was the traveling agent of the company. He was next with the Howe Sewing Machine Company until they failed. In 1874 he was traveling salesman for Kingsbury, Abbott & Hulett, of New York. In 1876 he was engaged with O. P. Ramsdell & Co. and eighteen months later with Chase & Comstock, both of Buffalo. After two years he accepted an offer from E. C. Hazzard & Co., of New York, and traveled for them until 1885. He was then in the employment of Berry, Wisner, Lohman & Co. until 1890, when he was engaged as traveling agent for the Life and Reserve Life Insurance Company, of Buffalo. He has also been engaged with other concerns. June 21, 1860, he married Lydia A., daughter of Homer and Vashti (BECKWITH) WOODIN; children: Ida Elnora, born Sept. 27, 1862, died July 17, 1865; William Wallace, born Sept. 25, 1864; and Dora Woodin, born July 20, 1870.

Newton A. CHAFFEE was born Aug. 31, 1841. Aug. 2, 1862, he enlisted in the 154th N. Y. Vols. and Aug. 29th the regiment was in active service as a part of the Eleventh Army Corps. He was at the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg and marched with General Sherman's army to the sea. He was quartermaster-sergeant eighteen months, after which he was detailed to corps headquarters, where he served until he was discharged June 20, 1865. He is a member of Darby Post, G. A. R., and has served as its commander. From March 20, 1868, to Sept., 1883, he was a merchant at Dayton, and was also postmaster and loan commissioner. He returned to Gowanda and formed a partnership with his brother, A. W. W. CHAFFEE, as merchant tailors, which closed in Feb., 1891. June 6, 1866, he married Luna, daughter of Homer and Vashti WOODIN. They have an only daughter, Lorena, born Aug. 19, 1867.