CHRISTOPHER SHELLER, a leading representative of the Sheller family, was born July 16, 1819, in Donegal township, Washington Co., Penn., where he has since resided. He is a son of Samuel Sheller, and grandson of William, who was born, reared and married in Germany. The children of William were William, Henry, John, Samuel, Mary (Mrs. Jacob Ruple), Catherine (Mrs. Benjamin Stephenson), Mrs. Beckly and Mrs. McKee. The family emigrated to America in an early day, and became the first pioneer settlers of Donegal township. Indians were numerous in those days, and the men attended church with guns upon their shoulders, ready for instant use. Mr. Sheller was a Federalist, and he was one of the founders of the United Brethren Church, of which he was a member. Samuel Sheller was born in Donegal township, Washington county, and received an education in the German language. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher Winter, and the following children were born to them: Daniel, Elizabeth, Christopher (our subject), Catherine (Mrs. John J. Clemens), Mary, Susanna (wife of Alexander Noble), and Lucinda (Mrs. Alexander Blair). Mr. Sheller always lived on the home farm. He was connected with the United Brethren Church. In politics he was a member of the Old-line Whig party. He died January 1, 1838, his wife in 1860. Christopher Sheller passed his youth on the home farm, and received a common-school education. He then learned the carpenter's trade of Isaac Winter, in West Alexander, serving three years as an apprentice, and three years as foreman. He then began life for himself, following his trade till 1872, when he retired from business. On October 7, 1852, he was united in marriage with Frances Jane, daughter of Philip Crow, of Donegal township, and the children born to their union were as follows: Elizabeth (Mrs. Barnet Chaney, deceased), Emma (Mrs. T. G. Peacock), Zillah and Adda (twins, deceased), and Fannie (deceased). On August 13, 1862, the mother of this family died, and October 27, 1863, Mr. Sheller married Nancy, daughter of Kenneth McCoy, whose father, Daniel McCoy, was of Scotch birth, and came with his parents to America, where he was married to Nancy McCoy, who bore him the following children: John, Alexander, William, Christina, Kenneth, Angus, Elizabeth, Joseph, James and Jane. In politics Mr. McCoy was a Republican. [Kenneth McCoy passed his entire life in West Finley township, Washington, Co., Penn., and was united in marriage with Jane, daughter of James Brownlee, a pioneer settler of the county. Their children were Jane, Joseph, Nancy, Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph Whitham), Mary (Mrs. Robert Mehaffey) and John. Mr. McCoy was a Whig, and a strong advocate of the anti-slavery doctrine. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and died in 1872, having been preceded by his wife in 1868.] Mr. Sheller has become a successful man by his own exertions, and in politics was originally a Whig. Upon the formation of the party he became a Republican, and is now one of the leading Prohibitionists of his locality. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 970 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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