USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 24
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(III) George Washington Gutshall, son of Daniel and Sarah (Bower) Gutshall, was born April 14, 1852, in Jackson township, Perry county, Pennsylvania. He received his education at the Red Hill public school in Jackson township, and on completing his studies
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he assisted his father on the farm. In 1889 be purchased a farm in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, improved it, erected houses thereon and brought it to a high state of fertility. This he sold in 1892 and moved to a place near Andersonburg. In 1902 he moved to Blain and in 1905 he entered the grain and feed business, also incorporating coal with the two former. He has continued in this to the present time (1913). He was appointed assistant station agent at Blain. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Junior Mechanics and of the Lutheran church, as is his wife.
He married. September 15. 1874, Celestia Bennett, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bolling) Bennett, who were former residents of Adams county, but later of Juniata county. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Gutshall: 1. William, born July, 1876; married May Richard. 2. Sarah E., born 1878; married Mitchell Morrow, of Pittsburgh. 3. Ira W., a farmer in Jackson township; married Grace Drumgole. 4. Mary B., unmarried. 5. Margaret Jane, married Clark Drumgole. 6. George L., in Pittsburgh, preparing himself to teach.
PATTERSON Creigh Patterson, of Blain, Pennsylvania, descends from Scotch-English and German ancestors who were old settlers in Pennsylvania. His English forbear was Creigh Patterson, who came to America by way of Scot- land, where he was connected with the Patterson clan. He reached the New World before the revolution, and was a member of the Royal Americans under Lord Jeffrey Amherst in his campaign against the French and Indians. It is not known if his wife accompanied him, or whether he married a colonial lassie, probably the latter. After the Declaration of Independence, when he was advanced in years and too old for active service in the field, he sent his sons to fight for the cause he espoused, and he became known far and near as an ardent patriot.
(1) Creigh Patterson, a descendant of Creigh Patterson the emi- grant, was born in the early part of the nineteenth century, in the state of Pennsylvania. He married Saralı Stambaugh, daughter of a German-American farmer, also of Pennsylvania, and prominent in his community. After his marriage to Miss Stambaugh, Mr. Patter- son purchased a large tract of wild land in Tyrone township. Perry
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county, cleared, improved and lived on it until his death. He was one of the public-spirited citizens of the township and gave his influence to every proposition that was for the public good. Both he and his wife were members of the Church of God, and were active in their support of it. He was one of the wealthy men of his day and com- munity, and left a handsome estate to his heirs. Children: 1. Francis, a farmer; unmarried. 2. John, a farmer in Tyrone township; mar- ried Anna Lightner. 3. George, of whom further. 4. William, died in infancy. 5. Harry, died in infancy.
(II) George Patterson, son of Creigh and Sarah (Stambaugh) Patterson, was born March 13, 1846, in Perry county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools of the township, and on com- pleting his course he entered the pedagogic profession and taught for more than twelve terms, and established for himself an enviable repu- tation as a teacher and disciplinarian. Giving up this profession, he entered the mercantile field and located at Landisburg, where he soon built up a large and lucrative business, which he continued until 1905, when he retired. In 1907 he was elected associate judge and served until 1912, with honor to himself and the satisfaction of his fellow citizens. He is a staunch Republican, working for and voting the ticket. He married Elizabeth Rhinesmith, born March 12, 1847. in Perry county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Henry and Fannie (Souder) Rhinesmith. Mr. Patterson is a member of the Church of God, and his wife of the German Reformed church. Children: I. Creigh, of whom further. 2. Harry, a railway employee in Idaho. 3. Fred, a jeweler in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 4. Marie, lives at home. The parents of Mrs. Patterson, Henry and Fannie (Souder) Rhinesinith, were born in Perry county, and were directly descended from hardy German families who emigrated to Pennsylvania about the latter part of the eighteenth century. Mr. Rhinesmith was a land owner and a successful farmer, living near Landisburg, Pennsylvania, nearly thirty years, and dying there. He was a Democrat in politics and was asso- ciate judge of Perry county for many years. Children: I. William, a farmer; married Margaret Kennedy. 2. Elizabeth, married George Patterson. 3. James, a stock dealer in Alinda, Spring township. 4. Alice, married Thomas Graham. 5. Ida, married Charles Eaton.
(III) Creigh Patterson, son of George and Elizabeth (Rhinesmith)
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Patterson, was born April 28, 1883, in Landisburg, Perry county, Pennsylvania. He received his preparatory education in the schools at Landisburg, later attending that of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. He matriculated at the Pennsylvania State College, graduating in 1903. Leaving college, he was appointed assistant cashier of the bank of Landisburg, which position he retained until 1906, when he moved to Blain and was appointed cashier of the bank. He has since formed a partnership in a lumber company under the firm name of Bistline. Patterson Company. He is a Republican in politics but has never held an office. Is a bright member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 706, of Blain. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
He was married, January 10, 1911, to Mary Kline, daughter of William and Catherine ( Mumper) Kline, the former a farmer of Jackson township, Perry county. Child: George William, born No- vember 24, 19II.
Frederick Sheaffer, the earliest ancestor of this fam- SHEAFFER ily to come to America, was born in Germany, where he was a tiller of the soil, coming to this country and settling in Perry county, Pennsylvania, where he passed the re- mainder of his days in the occupation of farming. By his wife, Eliza- beth, he had a number of children, among whom were: William, Peter, Jane, Sarah, and Daniel; the last named being further mentioned below.
(II) Daniel Sheaffer, son of Frederick and Elizabeth Sheaffer, was born in Perry county, where he grew to maturity and where he became a blacksmith, a calling which he followed all his life. He served for a short time in the Union army during the war between the states : after which he returned home and died eventually in Perry township. He was a Republican in politics, and was a member of the German Reformed church, to which his wife also belonged. She was a Miss Rebecca Sheibley, born in Perry county, and dying as did also her husband, in Perry township. Children: Olivia, married S. P. Kern, now deceased, who was a justice of the peace of Blain, Perry county ; Fred F., of further mention: William, a blacksmith on the homestead in Blain, who married first, a Miss Snyder, and second,
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Ida Nesbit; Samuel, a shipping clerk in Pittsburgh, unmarried ; Alomia, married Joseph Wilt, a farmer of Perry county ; Ella, married Thomas Kinslow, a Chicago salesman; Gertrude, married William Kennedy, a Chicago plumber.
(III) Fred F. Sheaffer, son of Daniel and Rebecca (Sheibley) Sheaffer, was born November 22, 1856, in Perry county. He became a merchant, conducting business first in Perry county and afterward in Mifflin county, having removed to McVeytown in the year 1888; here he has been a jeweler ever since coming to the place, and has been very successful in his career, having first been associated with the firm of Sheibley and Sheaffer. He is one of the best known citizens and merchants of this city, and is widely respected, not only in his business dealings but in his social relations as well. In politics Mr. Sheaffer is a member of the Republican party. He is now a member of the Presbyterian church, as is also his wife; though he was formerly a member of the German Reformed denomination. He has been twice married; his first wife was a Miss Clara Peck, born August 26, 1854, in Perry county, the marriage taking place in that county in October. 1875. She was a daughter of John and Phoebe (Hench) Peck, both of whom were born in Perry county. Mr. Peck was a farmer and land owner in the county and a very prominent man in the place. He was a Republican and a member of the Reformed church, as was also his wife, the mother of Mrs. Sheaffer; for he was twice married. By his first wife, who was a Miss Hall, he had four children : Floyd, Jerome, Scott, and Coler. By his marriage to Phoebe Hench he had seven children: John and George, who remained unmarried: Belle, married James Frantz; Clara, who became Mrs. Sheaffer: Anna, mar- ried Ferd Miller; Jennie, became Mrs. Aughe, and is now deceased ; Alice, died unmarried at the age of twenty-two years.
After the death of the first Mrs. Sheaffer, on February 9, 1905, Mr. Sheaffer married again, his second wife having been a Miss May Corkle before her marriage. By his first wife Mr. Sheaffer had chil- dren: Charles E., of further mention; May, born 1879. died 1910; Walter, born 1891, clerk in a Pittsburgh freight office, unmarried ; Ralph, born 1894, a graduate of McVeytown High School, 1913. No issue by second marriage.
(IV) Charles E. Sheaffer, son of Fred F. and Clara (Peck) Sheaf-
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fer, was born December 22, 1876, at Ickesburg, Perry county, Penn- sylvania. IIis education was acquired in the public schools of the vicinity until his graduation at high school in 1895, when he at once took a preparatory course at private school and was admitted to Easton Optical College, from which he was graduated in 1896. He became interested in insurance, and for seven years has been the general insur- ance agent for McVeytown, covering both life and fire departments. To this branch of his activities has been united his mercantile pursuits in which he has been extremely prosperous; in 1911 he bought out the general store and has conducted this ever since with continuing success. His influence in the community is very keenly felt and he has been active in local politics, being a member of the Republican party, in whose interests he has been borough auditor for many years. Mr. Sheaffer is also prominent in social and fraternal affairs in the bor- ongh. being a member of the Masonic order of McVeytown; he is secretary of Blue Lodge, No. 376. Free and Accepted Masons, and belongs also to the Redmen, No. 349, of which he is secretary, to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 705, and to the Elks of Lewistown, No. 663. He stands high in the community as a church- man, being a member of the Presbyterian church, of whose Sunday school he is secretary and treasurer.
On November 26, 1905, Mr. Sheaffer was married to Miss Rilla Sides, of McVeytown, daughter of Gottlieb and Eliza Sides, promi- nent residents of the county and of German descent. Mrs. Sheaffer is also a member of the Presbyterian church, in which her husband has been an active and efficient worker. Mr. and Mrs. Sheaffer have one daughter, Eveline, born January 9, 1908.
Mordecai Gahagan, deceased, an honored soldier of
GAHAGAN the civil war. and for nearly a half-century engaged in the smithing business in Huntingdon, was a son of Thomas and Salome ( Heckathorne) Gahagan.
Thomas Gahagan was a native of Huntingdon, there was educated in the common schools, cultivated his farm, and, after a long life of usefulness, died. He was an ardent Democrat and both he and his wife. Salome Heckathorne, were members of the Methodist Episcopal church: children: William, a railroad employee: John, a farmer of
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Shavers Creek, Pennsylvania; Mordecai (see forward) ; Jonathan, a farmer of Newton Hamilton, Pennsylvania; Ann, married James Camp- field; Lewis, a blacksmith, now living in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, re- tired; Adolph, a farmer; James, a farmer; Henry, a farmer, now deceased.
Mordecai Gahagan was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1836, died in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1910. He was educated in the public schools of Shavers Creek, Pennsylvania, and on arriving at suitable age, began learning the blacksmith's trade. He became an expert worker in iron and steel, working as a journey- man smith until 1863, when he established his own shop in Hunting- don, continuing there in successful business until his retirement in 1909, just one year prior to his retiring to an eternal rest. He was a soldier of the civil war, serving a term of nine months in the 125th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was engaged at the battle of Antietam and saw much actual service before receiving honorable dis- charge at the end of his term of service. It was on his return from the war in 1863 that he located in Huntingdon. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a faithful, earnest follower of the teachings of that church. He was a good smith, a good soldier and a good citizen. He married, in 1863, Melissa, born June 19, 1842, in Huntingdon county, daughter of Asel and Hannah (Brumbaugh) Hight. She was educated in the public schools and survives her husband, a resident of Huntingdon. She is a member of the United Brethren church and is highly respected in her community; child : Thomas, born October 7, 1864, in Huntingdon county ; was educated in the public schools of Huntingdon. He is a mechanical engineer and for the past twenty-five years has been employed by several of the large contracting firms. He was for eight years in the employ of the Warren Webster Vacuum Company, who sent him on important work to Appleton, Wisconsin, where he remained three years before completing the operations under his charge. Since 1910 he has been in the employ of the Day & Zimmerman Company at Williamsburg, Pennsylvania. He is a Republican in politics ; his family are members of the Presbyterian church.
He married, in 1886, Anna, daughter of Logan and Maria Mar- tin-he a farmer. Children: i. Irma, born in 1887, married Harry
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Strickler, a traveling salesman, and has a son, Richard Gahagan Strick- ler. ii. Logan, born in 1892, died aged thirteen.
Ralph Barbin Cassady, of Mt. Union, Pennsylvania,
CASSADY has behind him an honorable line of Irish ancestry. Like so many of that hardy and independent race of people who have joined forces with the citizens of the United States, they have assisted materially in the financial, social and moral upbuild- ing of this country.
(I) Thomas Cassady, the grandfather of Ralph Barbin Cassady, was born in Ireland, and came to America while yet a young man. He first engaged in lumbering in Pennsylvania and later purchased land on which he farmed. He was an ardent Republican in politics, supporting the ticket on all occasions. While a loyal citizen of the United States, he still held property in Ireland, which passed to his heirs at his death. He was the parent of eleven children, among them being Charles, a dairyman in Pennsylvania, and Owen, of whom further.
(II) Owen Cassady, son of Thomas Cassady, the Irish emigrant, was born in 1859, in Pennsylvania. He was sent to Vermont to school, and on finishing his education engaged in the pedagogic profession in Canada for several years. He then turned his energies toward the mercantile business and for years was a merchant in Canada. Later he came to Pennsylvania, where he established himself in Mifflin county. He purchased a farm of two hundred acres, which he cultivated. He extended his commercial holdings by the purchase of one-half interest in the Lucy Furnace, an estate which had a holding of three hundred acres. He retired from active business, moving to Mt. Union, Mif- flin county, where he is a man of prominence and influence. He is a steward of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of its most valued members. He is a Republican, and was elected tax collector on that ticket ; was a delegate to the Republican state convention from Mif- flin county, and has served on the school board as director. He mar- ried, in 1883, Martha J. Barbin, daughter of Alexander and Susan Barbin, prominent people of that section, where he was the owner and successful farmer of over four hundred acres of fertile land. He re- tired and lived at Newton Hamilton until his death. Children of Mr.
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and Mrs. Cassady : I. Died in infancy. 2. Twin of above, died in in- fancy. 3. Ralph Barbin, of whom further. 4. Russel J., died in boyhood.
(III) Ralph Barbin Cassady, son of Owen and Martha J. (Barbin) Cassady, was born April 29, 1885, at Long Hollow, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public school at Lucy Furnace and at the Mt. Union Academy, later matriculating at the Juniata College in 1904. In the fall of 1905 he accepted a position with the Harbis and Walker Brick Company as chainman. He was offered, and accepted, the position of assistant clerk in the same company, and then was promoted to the place of chief clerk, which he holds to the present time (1913). He is one-third owner of the Bell, Harrison and Cassady Company, a local concern. He is a progressive Republican, clerk of the council, is largely interested in all matters pertaining to education and in the promotion and development of music.
He married, in 1906, Josephine Galbraith Miller, daughter of An- drew and Della J. Miller, of Huntingdon county, influential people of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Cassady have been born two children, both of whom are dead.
In 1756 there were living in Manheim township, Lan-
MYERS caster county, Pennsylvania, Jacob, Stephen, Samuel and Martin Myre or Myer, now spelled Myers. Samuel and Jacob were smiths and owned one hundred acres of improved land each. Martin and Jacob were farmers, owning respectively two hun- dred and two hundred and fifty acres. Martin had at this time a saw and a grist mill, and in 1786 owned two mills. The history of the family is closely connected with that of the village of Oregon, in Man- heim township, where Martin sold his mill in 1810, but retained his farming interest.
(I) Levi Myers, either a son or grandson of Martin Myers, was born in Manheim township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, there grew to manhood, married and lived until 1868, when he moved to Franklin county, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade of stone mason until his death, excepting one period of five years, when he en- gaged in farming. He died in Chambersburg, Franklin county, in the spring of 1894. Both he and his wife, Susan, were members of the
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Reformed church. She died in 1880. Children : I. John, died in childhood. 2. Mary, married Joseph Gabler, died in November, 1912. 3. Eliza, married Joseph Strawbridge, whom she survives, a resident of Chambersburg; child, Elizabeth. 4. David K., of whom further.
(II) David K., youngest son of Levi and Susan Myers, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, about 1850. He accompanied his parents to Franklin county in 1868 and there learned the cabinet- maker's trade, married and lived for many years. He worked at Orrstown seven years, then cultivated a farm in Franklin county, six years, then moved to Chambersburg, where he entered the employ of M. C. Stoner, and was also for eleven years assistant postmaster of Chambersburg. He next was employed by the Wolf Company, with whom he remained until his death. He was a member of the Hepta- sophs, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He married Alice V. Seiders, born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, about 1851, who survives him, still residing in Chambersburg. She is the daughter of Samuel and Margaret Seiders, who were married in Shippensburg, where they resided until their removal to Chambersburg about 1890. Later they returned to Shippensburg where Margaret died in 1897. Later Samuel Seiders moved to Harrisburg where he is spending his last years with a daughter. He was a prosperous merchant of the two towns, Shippensburg and Chambersburg, for many years. Ten children: I. A son, died in infancy. 2. Mamie, married Amos Hampshire and lived in Middle Spring. 3. Stewart.
resides in Chambersburg. 4. Alice V., of previous mention, widow of David K. Myers. 5. Macfarland, now living in Philadelphia. 6. Belle, died aged about thirty-two years, unmarried. 7. Charles, a traveling printer, last heard from in Tucson, Arizona. 8. John, now a carpenter of Chambersburg. 9. Lou, married Dole Rebuck, and resides in Harris- burg. 10. William, of Chambersburg. Children of David K. and Alice V. Myers: I. Harry Benton, of whom further. 2. Mary, re- sides with her mother in Chambersburg. 3. Samuel, a draughtsman for the Wolf Company ; married Mina John, and resides in Chambers- burg.
(III) Harry Benton, eldest son of David K. and Alice V. (Seiders) Myers, was born at Orrstown, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, Sep-
Harry B. Myers.
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tember 1, 1872. He was educated in the public schools, finishing his studies in Chambersburg high school. He began business life as clerk in a gentleman's furnishing store, but, deciding upon a trade, became a molder at the Taylor Works, continuing until 1899, when he moved to Lewistown. He then entered the employ of the Standard Steel Works as molder, remaining until 1909. He then again entered mer- cantile life, opening a stationery store at No. 21 East Market street. Lewistown. He has established a profitable business and now has a well-stocked modern stationery and book store with a prosperous pic- ture framing department. He is a Progressive in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. He married, May 14, 1895. Cora Bessor, born in Chambersburg, daughter of George and Emma Bessor. No issue.
In 1682 James Dougherty, of County Cork, Ire-
DOUGHERTY land, landed at Boston, Massachusetts, and settled at Salem. He was a tailor by trade and did a thriving business mending the torn garments of the bachelors of that town. Tiring of the sober dress of the inhabitants, for rigid Puritanism was at that time at its height, and also of the social laws and customs of the Province of Massachusetts, he sought new pastures in which to ply his vocation. He went to New York by sailing vessel, landing at the spot that is now known as Battery Park. Here he married the daughter of an English emigrant and he established himself as a tailor. For many years he prospered greatly and Master Dougherty was in great demand by the beaux of the day who wished the latest London cut to their clothes. He reared a large family, the greater portion of whom left New York and wandered far afield into other colonies. A son, James, like his father a tailor, located in Philadelphia. Among his descendants was John, of whom further.
(II) John Dougherty, son of James Dougherty, was born about 1740, in Philadelphia. He was a soldier during the war of the revo- lution, enlisting from Philadelphia. Among his children was Edward. of whom further.
(III). Edward Dougherty, son of John Dougherty, was probably born in 1770. He followed the family occupation and was a tailor
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by trade. He married Margaret Stackpole, whose father most prob- ably came direct from Ireland to Philadelphia as there is a record that Isaac Stackpole landed in that town in 1780. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty : 1. Rosanna. 2. Margaret. 3. Nancy. 4. Barbara. 5. John, of whom further. 6. James, a merchant tailor.
(IV) Jolin Dougherty, son of Edward and Margaret (Stackpole) Dougherty, was born July 25, 1803, at McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in a school of Lewistown presided over by his mother, also assisted by his father, and on reaching his majority he entered the mercantile business, continuing in that line of endeavor for some time. Later he engaged in construction work on the Allegheny Portage railroad. He was of an inventive turn of mind and among his notable inventions was the section boat, one of the most useful that transportation men had had up to that time. He became interested in transportation between Philadelphia and Pitts- burgh, during which time he moved to the former place and took up his abode, remaining in that city for three years. At the expiration of that time he moved back to Hollidaysburg, where he became interested in the Democratic Standard, a newspaper of the town, which he edited with notable success. Later he purchased a farm at Blair Station, and yet later bought and operated Blair's Furnace. Seeing the possibilities of that section, in conjunction with George W. Spear, hie laid out the town of Mt. Union, after which he engaged in the Adams Ex- press Company as one of its organizers, and also dealt in lumber and coal. He married, February 15, 1829, Catherine McEllienney, born Angust 5, 1810, daughter of James and Jane McEllienney. Children : 1. Margaret, born in 1830. 2. Edward James, born November 21, 1831. 3. Mary Felicitus, born October 13, 1833. 4. Theodore, born in 1836. 5. Engene, born about 1838. 6. Victor V., born March 4, 1841. 7. Victoria E. Marie, of whom further. 8. Gerald J., born April 5, 1847. Mr. Dougherty died November 12, 1886.
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