Orleans

CHAFEY, Martin Beard

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, p 67

Martin Beard CHAFEY, of Albany [Vermont] was born 11 May 1842 in Albany 
[Orleans County, Vermont], son of Hiram and Asenath (KENDALL) CHAFEY. He was 
educated at the public schools of Albany, where he also became a pupil of the 
academy, and afterwards attended the People's Academy at Morrisville 
[Lamoille County, Vermont]. He commenced his business career with a 
clerkship at Derby Line [Orleans County], and then enlarged his experience by 
serving for one year in a wholesale house in Boston [Suffolk County, 
Massachusetts]. In 1866 he entered into partnership with his brother, Hiram 
W., but since 1882 he has continued the business by himself, carrying a large 
stock of general merchandise. Since 1879 he has been agent for the 
collection of rents for Middlebury College. Was postmaster at Albany from 
1866 to 1886. Republican; has been town clerk since 1876; in 1893 was 
appointed deputy collector of internal revenue for Albany and vicinity; 
enlisted in the army, but being a minor his parents refused their consent; 
before the age of twenty-one he had enlisted once and was drafted twice; was 
elected to the General Assembly of 1890; attended the session of that year, 
and also the extra session of 1891. In religious preference a Baptist, he 
nevertheless attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church. Has been a 
member of Central Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons, of Irasburg [Orleans County].

Mr. [Martin Beard] CAFFEY [typo in original text for CHAFEY] was married to 
Jennie WILSON, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (CALDERWOOD) MITCHELL, of 
Craftsbury [Orleans County, Vermont]. Their children are: Don M., who died 
in childhood; Agnes O., Roland E., and Maggie E. Mr. CHAFEY's son, Roland, 
accompanying him as page in the House in 1890 and in 1891, was appointed 
assistant secretary of the House at the age of fourteen years, he being the 
youngest person ever appointed to that position in the state, and now at the 
age of seventeen years is assistant cashier in the First National Bank, 
Ithica [Ithaca, Gratiot County], Michigan.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly