(1858-14 Aug. 1940), cheesemaker. (Edwin E. Chafee, E. E. Chafee) Born at North Lawrence, N. Y. Parents: Mr and Mrs William Chafee. Edwin E. Chafee, who was active in the cheese industry for 58 years, was trained in cheesemaking as a young man in N. Y. State, and came to Canada a good many years before 1900. Until five years before his death he conducted the River Bank Butter and Cheese Factory across from his home at Summerstown, GC. This factory is said to have been built in 1901 or 1902 and to have been situated on the bank of the St. Lawrence. Also, Chafee was a farmer with a 50 acre farm. He is said (Stiles, 1920) to have been operating the farm for 25 years and to have been “owner and proprietor” of the factory for 17 (therefore, presumably, since it was built). He won many prizes for his cheese and butter. For example, at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893 he was among the award-winners for cheese. At this time he seems already to have been a Summerstown resident. In 1936 on his golden wedding and again on the occasion of an interview in 1937 he was described as the oldest cheesemaker in Canada. He worked for D.M. MacPherson’s Allen Grove Combination in his earlier years (as late as 1900). Chafee was married to Jennie Stewart (d. 21 Aug. 1946, aged 85). They are buried at Salem Church cemetery, Summerstown. (five children)

Standard Freeholder 16 Aug. 1940 * Stiles 75 (portrait, illust. of house) * biog. sketch by Ruddick, in Innis 56 * gravestone * Rutley: index (portrait) * Chicago 1893 80 (“E. E. Chaffie [sp sic], Summerstown”) * golden wedding, SFH 16 Dec. 1936 * “Oldest Cheesemaker in Canada Tells of Many Experiences,” SFH 31 May 1937 * Marilyn H. S. Light on Charlottenburgh cheese factories, Glengarry Life 1977 * fine golden wedding portrait of the 2 Chafees, Glengarry News 17 April 2002