Early Life
Chafin was born on June 26, 1887, near the town of Kermit in present-day Mingo County, West Virginia, the sixth of eleven children. His father, Francis Marion Chafin, was the sheriff of Logan County, and Chafin grew up in the town of Logan. For two years he studied in the preparatory department of Marshall College – without taking college courses – but did not graduate. He also attended the Mountain State Business College, before teaching at the Dingress School in Mingo County.
In 1905, Chafin married Mary Mounts, with whom he eventually had 10 children, eight of whom survived to adulthood. Three years later, in 1908, Chafin was appointed the tax assessor of Logan county. In 1912, Chafin was elected sheriff of Logan County for the first time, and in 1920 he was elected county clerk as well.
Read more about this topic: Don Chafin
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