My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE CHEESMAN, M.D., post office Library, was born in 1839, in Washington county, Pa., a son of John and Mary(Barkley) Cheesman, natives, respectively, of New Jersey and Washington county, Pa. His father was a seaman for about seven years, and after coming to Washington county boated for several years on the rivers here, but followed farming most of his life. His paternal grandfather, William Cheesman, came from England. The subject of our sketch spent his youth in Washington county, was educated in Jefferson College, from which he graduated in 1859. He then taught school in Kentucky until the war broke out, when he returned, and, entering Jefferson Medical College, graduated in 1865. He began the practice of medicine in Washington county, and after four years’ labor there came to Library. In 1876 he bought a farm about one mile north of Library, and in 1877 moved his family thereon. He married, Feb. 19, 1869, M. Bell, daughter of Hon. John A. and Violet (Gardner) Happer, and born in Washington county Oct. 12, 1843. Her father was a native of Washington county, and her mother of Allegheny county. Four children have blessed this union: Mary Bertha, Leroy Happer, Harry Cammer and Helen V. Dr. Cheesman, having been a teacher in his early life, has taken a great interest in the schools of Bethel, and has helped to build up some of the finest country schools in the township. In 1862 he taught at Bethel Academy. He and Mrs. Cheesman are members of Bethel Presbyterian Church.