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Show ! SKETCH ~ ~ ~ Q!_ LEWIS RICE CHAFFIN Utah Pioneer of 1852 Lewis Rice Chaffin was born December 3., 1806, at Prinction., Mass. and died March 5., 1891., at Cedar City, Utah. He was the son of Leonard and Elizabeth Rice Chaffin. He Settled early at La.Harp., Ill. The town was named Franklin.Yihen he went there but as another town in "I.he state claimed priority tothe name it was neces~ ary to change it. The name of LaHa.rp was suggested by lewis and adopted b y the town. He was one of the first merchants th.era, the first postmaster and the first justice of the peace. He showed push and energy while there. On December 3, 1837, he married Mrs Sarah M. Cossett Mayfield., the daughter of' Epophroditus and Laura Hull Cossett., and the widow of William o. Mayfield. She had one son, \llfilliam Oscar Mayfield., whom Mr. Chaffin adopted. Like her husband she was strong nerved and courageous. She proved a loving mother and dev-otefr ,wife through out the fifty-three years of' their life together. They joined the 11Mormonn Church soon after its organization and remained true and faithful to th.a gospel the remainder of their lives. He was a fairly we a.l thy man in La.."'Iarp. He OJ'mad f'i ve city lots, a good home, a farm and grist mill . He hired a miller to grind in the day time and ha went ni tes to grind flour for the ·~ormons. tt One nigh·b a mob came to tro mill, pointed guns at him and taking an oath one said, 11If you grind a grain of flour for the mormons we will blow your brains outl " He replied, 11Let me grind m;y own \ __ _ toll. 11 l'hey answered., nYou have a damned lot to grind. "but they left him. Later all the saints were called into Nauvoo so they could protect them selves fromthe mobs. They left all they had except bedding and clothing at LaHarp . Brother Chaffin took his turn guarding the city until midnight each night. Once while he was on guard a "Mobocrat 11 told his wife that they were going to drive the Mormons out that night. Yi"110n ha learned of this he gave the alarm and the Saints held the mob off and were aaved. Thay were finally driven out end the Chaffins had a young baby at the time. Sister Chaffin road in an open wagon across the ice |
