My Genealogy Hound

J. B. MEHAFFIE, farmer; P. O. Delisle; was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., May 27, 1826, being the eldest of seven children, three boys and four girls, the brothers dying shortly after reaching their manhood, unmarried, and leaving no heirs; but the four sisters are all living; his parents were John and Elizabeth Mehaffie; they are natives of Pennsylvania, the former was born in 1800, the latter in 1803; his grandparents were John and Martha Mehaffie; the grandfather was a cosmopolite, being born upon the Atlantic Ocean, his parents being then on their way from Ireland to America, he being one of four children; the grandmother was born in Juniata Co., Penn.; her maiden name was Hoag; the grandfather was born about 1763, and the grandmother about 1770; the grandfather dying about 1838, and the grandmother in 1846; the father of the subject of this sketch, died in October, 1854; his mother is still living. Mr. Mehaffie came to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1851; remained about three years, then returned to Pennsylvania, where he was united in marriage, in the same year, to Eleanor, daughter of John and Margaret Vanasdlen, both natives of Pennsylvania; her mother was the daughter of William and Rebecca Steele, who emigrated from Ireland in an early day, and came to this county with one child; Rebecca Steele was the daughter of Taggart; Mr. Mehaffie returned with his wife to Preble Co., Ohio, where they lived about three years; then moved to Montgomery Co., where they remained till August, 1872, when they came to Darke Co., on the farm on which they now reside; Mr. Mehaffie was favored with a good education, and before he was of age he took the honorable and useful occupation of teaching school, which occupation he has followed every year for thirty years, not missing one winter during that time, but what he was in the school-room; during this time, when not engaged in teaching, was raising tobacco and farming; the farm upon which he now lives, consisting of 80 acres, he purchased of John Smith, of Arcanum, at a cost of $5,000, in 1872, with no buildings except a small log-house; Mehaffie has since built a large addition to the house, and has built a fine large barn and other outbuildings for convenience and comfort; has greatly improved and cleared up the land, till now he has a fine farm, with 65 acres in good cultivation; they have had born to them six children, all now living, viz.. Horace W., William C., Margaretta, Elizabeth, Clara E. and Myrta, the oldest, Horace, being married and settled in life, and the others yet single and at home; Mr. Mehatfie has never desired or taken any active part in political matters; he is now, however, Township Clerk; Mr. Mehaffie and wife are active members of the United Brethren Church, having been members of the same for twenty years.