Mahaffey was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and educated there.
He attended Media University, after which he became an accountant and was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
He moved to Los Angeles in 1902 and became affiliated with the Hollywood Lumber Company.
[1][2] Mahaffey, a Republican, was elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1930 and died in office.
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