When Dewey Austin Gaffney was born on 27 March 1853, in South Carolina, United States, his father, Daniel George Washington Gaffney, was 20 and his mother, Susananna Young Aaron, was 20. He married Christina Elizabeth Gloner on 10 October 1875, in Polk, Florida, United States. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 5 daughters. He lived in Election Precinct 7 Green Pond, Polk, Florida, United States in 1880. He died on 7 September 1910, in Green Pond, Polk, Florida, United States, at the age of 57, and was buried in Polk City, Polk, Florida, United States.