JOHN MEHAFFEY, the largest landholder in Donegal township, and one of the most extensive in Washington county, is descended from a vigorous Scotch-Irish race, noted for their honesty, industry, energy and loyalty. Robert Mehaffey, a native of Ireland, born in 1772 in County Tyrone, set sail about the year 1800 for the Western Hemisphere, landing at New York after a lengthy voyage. From "Gotham" he proceeded to Lancaster county, Penn., where for some time he rented and worked a farm. Here in 1801 he married Eleanor Mitchell, who bore him the following named eight children: James, Joseph, Robert, Mitchell, Jane, John, Ellen and Lizzie, all of whom lived to an adult age except Lizzie, who died in infancy, and two are yet living, viz.: Jane (wife of Patrick Rodgers, of Donegal township) and John. About the year 1816 Robert Mehaffey moved from Lancaster to this county, where he leased the McDowell farm in Buffalo township, along the National pike, and here remained some years, after which he came to Donegal township, settling on a farm about four miles northwest of Claysville. Here he followed agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his busy life, dying July 22, 1824, aged fifty-two years; his widow continued to live on this farm (it being operated by her sons) until her death, which occurred September 9, 1846, when she was sixty-six years old. John Mehaffey is a native of the county, as has already been intimated, having been born January 11, 1821, in Donegal township, his education, which owing to circumstances was very limited, being obtained at the public schools of his locality. He was but three years old when his father died, so, his widowed mother requiring all the assistance on the farm she could muster, he began very early in life to work about the place, "doing chores," etc. But it was a sound, practical training that proved of invaluable service to him in after life -- an education that brought him wealth that no classic lore of ancient Rome or Athens could ever help him to, as a tiller of the soil. Farming has been his life-work from boyhood, and fortune has smiled upon his labors. By good management, sound judgement, indefatigable perseverance and wonderful sagacity he has accumulated possessions, until he is now the owner of over 1,000 acres of prime farm land, on which he has many tenants, and whereon browse his sheep, numbering in the hundreds, for Mr. Mehaffey , in addition to general farming, is extensively engaged in wool growing. He himself now does little or no real active farm work, as the management of his vast estate, together with his other business affairs, occupies all his time.
On March 31, 1859, Mr. Mehaffey was married to Sarah Jane Barr, who was born in Buffalo township, this county, march 6, 1834, a daughter of Robert Barr; she died September 4, 1864, leaving one child, Eleanor, an accomplished and refined young lady, still living with her father. His second wife, whom he wedded November 22, 1866, was Elizabeth Sawhill, also a native of Buffalo township, born November 29, 1830, who bore him one son, William J., a promising young man. Mr. Mehaffey, after his marriage with Miss Barr, lived in various parts of his native township up to 1870, in which year he located on his present piece of well-improved land lying four miles northwest of Claysville, and here he has since made his home. His residence, which he erected himself, stands on an elevated part of the grounds, and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. Prior to his first marriage he had followed farming on the old homestead, the place of his birth.
Mr. and Mrs. Mehaffey are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church at Claysville, and they are known and respected, far and wide, for their philanthropy and many charitable acts. In his political associations our subject was first a Whig, and since the organization of the party has been an equally zealous Republican. He believes in protection for American industries and workmen. Much of his attention has been devoted to the wool industry, which he believes to be dependent upon a protective tariff. Mr. Mehaffey is a man of pronounced views, genial and quiet and pleasant in his manner; and though now somewhat advanced in years, he is still hale and active. He and his family enjoy the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
Text taken from page 788 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed May 1997 by Karen Souhrada of Pittsford, NY as part of the Beers Project.
Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]