Dr. William Wamach CHAFFIN, son of Alexander and Sarah A. (PAINTER) CHAFFIN,
was born at "Poplar Camp," Wythe county, Virginia, the seat of his
great-grandfather's early furnace, May 5, 1868. He was taught under an able
governess at his home, in his early life, later attending private schools,
where he studied until he entered Washington and Lee University, September
13, 1887, and there pursued the academic course for two years, choosing the
profession of a physician. He then entered Jefferson Medical College,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated Doctor of Medicine,
class of "93." He served for a time as interne at Jefferson Medical College
Hospital and Gouverneur Hospital, New York, then located in Pulaski county,
Virginia, where for twenty-two years he has been continuously and
successfully engaged in the general practice of his profession.

He is a member of the state board of medical examiners, appointed first in
1911, reappointed in 1914, is a member of the state board of health and
Pulaski county board of health, member of Pulaski city council and is one of
the active, progressive, valuable men of his day. He is a member of the
County and State Medical societies, and a valuable contributor to the
literature of his profession.
Dr. CHAFFIN is prominent in the Masonic order and held high in the esteem of
his brethren. He belongs to Pythagoras Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons;
Pulaski Chapter, No. 239, Royal Arch Masons; Lynn Commandery, No. 9, Knights
Templar, of which he is an eminent commander; Acca Temple, Nobles of the
Mystic Shrine, and holds all the degrees of the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite up to and including the thirty-second. He is a member of the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
and Knights of Pythias, and in politics a Democrat.

David PIERCE, maternal great-grandfather of Dr. CHAFFIN, came to Wythe
county, Virginia, from Pennsylvania, and made pig iron at his "Poplar Camp"
furnace as early as 1779. He also erected one of the earliest forges in the
country about the year 1800, on Cripple Creek, near Ivanhoe, and was one of
the successful iron masters of early days. His daughter married William
W. CHAFFIN, of North Carolina, grandfather of Dr. William W. CHAFFIN, who
for the past two decades has been a successful practicing physician of
Pulaski county, Virginia.

Source: Extracted from Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume V, Lyon G. Tyler, (1915)

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