Born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Taught school in Ohio. Married Minerva Tidball and had a daughter. Married Maria Brown Armstrong and had a second daughter. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1850. He practiced law in Ohio until the Civil War. Jeffries helped raise four companies of volunteers.

On November 1, 1861, he was detailed as acting assistant adjutant general of the 59th New York Regiment. He was promoted through the ranks to brigadier general by the end of the war. He fought at Seven Pines and in the seven days battles near Richmond. He received wounds that were thought at the time to be fatal.

Served as Register of the Treasury October 5, 1867, to March 15, 1869. His signature appears on paper money issued during the period. He resigned to return to the practice of law in Washington, D. C. He died in New York City.

bio: Eminent and Representative Men of Virginia and the District of Columbia, 1893 (photo)