Chaffin, J. W.

CHAFFIN

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 12/1/2008 at 16:17:47

J. W. Chaffin

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.16, Council Bluffs)
J. W. Chaffin, Council Bluffs, editor of the Council Bluffs "Advance", part proprietor of that paper and of the steam job printing and book-binding establishment of S. T. Walker & Co. born in Chillicothy, Ohio, July 17, 1824. Received his early education at Germantown and Bellbrook, Ohio. The honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred by the Adrian College, Michigan, 1868, receiving an invitation to deliver the annual lecture before the Star Literary Society of Adrian, which is considered quite an honor. Taught school for awhile after leaving school. In 1848, entered the ministry of the Wesleyan Church. During years 1861-62-63 held position of President of the Miani Conference; during time in the ministry, he was associated either as editor or correspondent of several religious weeklies. In 1850, he launched forth the "Herald of Freedom", an anti-slavery paper devoted to reform and temperance. Was nominated, in 1853, by the Free Soilers, for Treasurer of State. In 1858, engaged in the pork-packing business in Cinncinati, in which business he was unsuccessful. In 1863, was Chaplina of the Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteers; at end of same year, was mustered out on account of ill health. Then accepted position in Secretary's office of United States Treasury. Returned to Ohio in 1865; from there to Richmond, Ind., in a short time; same year entered the ministry of the M. E. Church at West Liberty, Iowa, in which he remained until 1877, at which time he resigned his charge and went to Clarinda, and engaged in printing the "Herald". He is the author of two volumes (one poetical), "The Golden Urn" and the second a Theological work, "The Battle of Calvary". Came to Council Bluffs, January, 1882, and during the summer of this year, organized and set on foot the Council Bluffs "Advance", an Independent Republican weekly newspaper, which bids fair to be a success in every sense of the word. Mr. Chaffin was married to Miss Lizzie Grant, of Burlington, Ohio, in 1850; after her decease in 1860, he married Miss Bell Shriver, in 1862.