JAMES F. MAHAFFEY. As one of the most progressive pioneers, and as the largest stone merchant in Pawnee, Mr. Mahaffey has succeeded in establishing his claim as a reliable and substantial citizen, and in gaining the good-will and esteem of all who come within the range of his fine and upright business methods and geneal, optimistic personality. His connection with the territory began in September of 1893, when he located in the town of great promise, staked out some lots, and built a small residence for himself and family. He is now the possessor of the largest and finest stone dwelling in the place, and is, besides, the owner of ten other residences. To his skill as a contractor, builder and stonemason has been entrusted a large number of the most prominent buildings in the locality, and his work is facilitated by owning and operating his own quarry, which has proved a most satisfactory investment. Few have more lavishly contributed to the general growth of hte city, or have more intelligently planned for its position among the landmarks of progress in the territory.

Mr. Mahaffey comes of sturdy Scothch ancestry, and was born in Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, Februrary 9, 1845. The paternal grandfather was born in Scotland, and upon crossing the seas to America, located with his family in Pennsylvania, and later settled in Ohio, where he died. His son, samuel, the father of James F., was also born in Scotland, and in early life learned the trade of stonemasonry, which he combined during the years of his activity with the occupation of builder and contractor. After living for a time in Ripley, Ohio, he located in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and subsequently went ot Washington county, Kans., in the vicinity of Strawberry, where he homesteaded a claim and where he terminated his useful and active life in 1876. His wife, Eliza (Frazier) Mahaffey, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Andrew Frazier, a native of the north of Ireland, and of Scotch descent. He was a weaver of fine linens, and worked at his trade in Pennsylvania, and later removed to Ohio, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Mahaffey died in Washington county, Kans. She became the mother of nine children, seven daughters and two sons, of whom two sons and three daughters are living. J. F. being the second youngest. One son, Alfred B., served during the Civil war in the Eleventh Iowa Regiment, and participated in twenty-eight regular engagements. He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, and is at the present time living in the territory.

The youth of Mr. Mahaffey was spent in Ripley until 1855, when he went with his parents to Iowa, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits. At the time, his educational faclities were extremely limited, but have been more than counteracted in later years by study along many lines, by keen observation, and an intuitive knowledge of human nature. In 1864 he embarked upon an independent venture, and at St. Louis, Mo., was in the employ of the government at Benton Barracks. In February of 1865 he volunteered in Company F, Twenty-third Illinois, at Chicago, and until August of 1865 was stationed at Richmond, Va. The company was mustered out at Chicago during August, and Mr. Mahaffey returned to Mount Pleasant, where his marriage took place. He then bought a farm in the vicinity of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, which was cleared and eventually sold, and in 1870 came to Washington county, Kans., where he homesteaded a claim thirteen miles south of the town of Washington. For fourteen years he successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and at the same time worked at the trade of mason with the McGregors. In 1884, Mr. Mahaffey located in Kingman, Kans., and engaged in the hotel business, and bought a farm near there, and in 1887 located in Reno county, Kans., near Arlington, and engaged in the merchandise business. A still later venture was in 1890, when he removed to Hutchinson, of the same state, where he followed his trade of builder and contractor. He subsequently plied his trade in Arkansas City, Fort Worth, Tex., and in Dallas, Tex., and in 1893 took up his permanent residence in the newly opened territory, where he has since been the leading builder, contractor and stonemason.

April 8, 1867, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mahaffey and Maggie C. Forbes, a native of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Her father, Riley, was born in Ohio, and was a farmer. The paternal grandfather, Joseph, was also born in Ohio, and was one of the very early settlers of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The mother of Mrs. Mahaffey was formerly Lydia Heath, who was born in Indiana, and a daughter of Lambert Heath, who was an early settler in Indiana, and in 1849 removed to Texas. Mrs. Heath died in Indiana, and left eight children, four of whom are living. Mr. Heath contracted a second marriage, and of this union there were four children, who are since deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Mahaffey were born ten children, eight of whom have lived to mature years: Dora is now Mrs. Osgood, and lives in Kingman, Kans.; Frank A. is an agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company at Pawnee; Harry O. is a merchant in Pawnee; Flora B. is now Mrs. Morton, of Pawnee; Omer H. is a blacksmith in Pawnee; Morris E. is a barber in Pawnee; Elmer L., is a printer in this town; and Mabel B. is a steongrapher.

In national politics Mr. Mahaffey is a Populist, and has been prominently identified with the undertakings of his party. He served for two terms as councilman, and was on the school board for three years. Fraternally he is associated with the Masonic order, and is connected with Pawnee Lodge No. 17. Mrs. Mahaffey is a member of the Eastern Star. The Mahaffey family is one of the most delightful in the town of Pawnee, and their home is the scene of generous hospitality and rare good fellowship. Much of their pleasure in life has been derived from their knowledge of and fondness for music, in which all of the family excel. During the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Mahaffey in Kansas they were the life and spirit f the neighborhood, and furnished the music for many memorable festive occasions, Mr. Mahaffey playing the violin and his wife the bass viol.

Transcribed from Portrait and Biographical Record Of Oklahoma, Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1901. Page 1156. Digitalized copy provided for transcription by George Cannon. Transcription by Carolyn Ward.