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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOSEPH SHARPE HEMPHILL, one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of Newton township, and a prominent representative of one of the old and honored families of Cumberland county, was born Nov. 5, 1847, in Southampton township, on a farm four miles east of Shippensburg, son of Moses and Margery (Clarke) Hemphill.

James Hemphill, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Northampton county, Pa., and he died and was buried at Middle Spring. He was one of the leading members of the Presbyterian Church in that locality. He married Cynthia Jane Jack, of Newton township.

Moses Hemphill, father of our subject, was born in 1799, in Hopewell township, Cumberland county. On March 25, 1830, he married Margery Clarke, born in 1811, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Fulton) Clarke, early settlers of Cumberland county, of Irish extraction. Moses Hemphill died in March, 1865, survived by his widow until 1872. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom survived to maturity, namely: Elizabeth, wife of James Quigley, of Hopewell township; Cynthia J., widow of David Quigley, of Hopewell township; Mary, who married the late Judge David McCulloch, of Peoria, Ill., and died in 1903; Caroline, deceased; James, a resident of Kansas; Robert, a farmer of Page Co., Neb.; William Jack, who died in 1865; Charles, who removed to Illinois and died there; Joseph S.; and Margaret Belle, who is matron of the ladies dormitory, C. V. S. N. S., at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

Joseph Sharpe Hemphill received a common school education, and attended the school at Thorn Grove, in Southampton township, and later took a course at Academia Academy in Juniata county, where he remained one year. After this he returned to Southampton township and engaged in farming with his brother, until the spring of 1870. In 1871 he located on a part of the McCulloch homestead, where he is found today. Mr. Hemphill is recognized as one of the first-class farmers of the county, making use of modern methods and improved machinery, and keeping his stock up to the highest grade. He has an especial liking for Jersey cattle. Since his marriage Mr. Hemphill has resided on a part of what is known as the old McCulloch homestead. This farm contains 101 acres, and is well-improved, with fine home and substantial bank barn, which was erected by the late James McCulloch. In addition to that farm he owns another, containing 104 acres, the latter being known locally as the Thomas McCulloch farm.

In the autumn of 1870, Mr. Hemphill married Belle McCulloch, daughter of James and Martha (Brown) McCulloch, both of whom are deceased. They have a family of five children, namely: Margery Clarke, wife of Oliver Myers, of West Pennsboro township; James McCulloch, a farmer in Newton township; William Jack, at home; Thomas, engaged in teaching; and Joseph Sharpe, Jr., a student. In politics Mr. Hemphill is in sympathy with the Republican party, his ancestors having been Old Line Whigs. Both he and wife are members of the Big Spring Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a trustee for many years. Mr. Hemphill stands as one of the responsible and representative men of the township, the kind of man who is sure to be mentioned by those who wish to point out its wealth, intelligence and good citizenship.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania published in 1905 by The Genealogical Publishing Company. 

View additional Cumberland County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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