William Naylor Caffey was born in Solebury Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania on March 24, 1838. William was one of six children born to William Caffey and Frances Naylor. According to family legend, his brothers were employed as blacksmiths and were also engaged in the burning of lime. A sister, Charlotte, studied to become a nun, but never took her vows. She was latter married to John McDevitt. William's brother John was married to Nellie Seese, sister of Rebecca Jane Seese. William was married to Rebecca Jane Seese in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on August 11, 1858 in the presence of William Boileau and Rebecca Boileau. G. T. Hurlock, pastor M. E. Church. A son, James Caffey was born on April 17, 1859, but did not survive. A daughter, Frances Caffey, was born in Ambler, Montgomery county, PA. on April 7, 1860.
William Caffey enlisted in the 104th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on September 12, 1861, at Doylestown. He served three years. Battles included: Williamsburg, Yorktown, Seven Pines, Fair Oaks, Seven Days, and Fort Wagner during the Seige of Charleston. During the war he went uninjured, but there were numerous narrow escapes. He told of one story in which the head of the man next to him was removed by a cannon ball passing by. This story was verified later in Col. W. W. H. Davis' histories of Bucks county and History of the 104th Pennsylvania Infantry. The soldier was named Wm. Brown and his death took place during the battle at Seven Pines, Va. in May of 1862. In January of 1863, William Caffey spent some time in the brig and two dollars was retained from his pay by regimental courts martial. He was possibly caught drinking or fighting. He received an honorable discharge at the expiration of his term on September 13, 1864.
A daughter, Amanda Caffey, was born on September 30, 1865, and their youngest child, Theodore Schriver Caffey, was born in White Marsh, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1868. William Caffey and his family moved to Michigan about 1877. He worked for a time with the railroad and later became postmaster at "Caffey" Michigan. William Caffey died on October 17, 1924 in Manistique, Schoolcraft County, Michigan at the age of 86. He passed away late Friday evening at the home of his son, Theodore Caffey Sr., of North Houghton avenue. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. M. Bursley, pastor of the Latter Day Saints church at Whitedale, on Monday morning. Following the services the body was shipped to Caffey for interment. The Legion paid respect to the honored wasr veteran, six of its members being pallbearers, as follows: W. G. Beaudoin, S. M. Rubin, Ira Crawford, Alex Creighton, L. A. Daniel son an Arthur Drevdahl.