JOSEPH P. JEFFREY. The well-known family, of which this gentleman is a prominent member, has for many years been closely identified with the history and progress of West Pike Run township. Joseph J. Jeffrey was born of Irish parents in Chester county, Penn., in 1772, and in 1788 purchased the old farm in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn, In 1796 he was married to Betsey Robison, who was born in 1781, in Loudoun county, Va., and the young couple soon moved to the farm he had previously purchased. The place contained about two hundred acres of land, upon which he carried on a profitable business in farming and stock raising. Joseph J. Jeffrey died April 9, 1854, having been preceded by his wife June 16, 1833. The children born to this couple are named as follows: Amor, Job, Plessie, Mary, Benjamin and John.
Amor Jeffrey was born March 21, 1803, on the home farm in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., where he learned carding and the woolen trade. He followed that business during early life, afterward devoting his attention to milling and agricultural pursuits. On April 6, 1828, he was united in marriage with Sarah Gregg, a native of Washington county, Penn., born September 8, 1805. To this union were born the following children: Eliza, wife of Henry Gregg, a farmer of Greene county, Penn.; Joseph P., subject of sketch; Anderson; Benjamin F.; Elizabeth, deceased February 18, l 875; Jacob, deceased May 16, 1883; John, deceased March 16, 1855; George W., deceased December 25, 1870; James J., deceased October 18, 1874; Eleanor, deceased October 20, 1876, and Jackman, deceased January 24, 1844. The father was fond of literary pursuits, and in political opinion was a member of the Democratic party. He died June 15, 1885, having been preceded by his wife June 9, 1880.
Joseph P. Jeffrey was born November 1, 1829, on the home farm in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn. His youth and early manhood were passed on the home place, where he studied medicine until the death of his tutor interrupted his preparation. Circumstances then arose which prevented his graduation, and for thirteen years afterward he worked for one farmer. Although he never graduated, Mr. Jeffrey has successfully treated the ills of his friends and kindred, and is probably better fitted for practice than many who have the title of M. D. affixed to their names. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Nancy Jane Hess, a native of Ohio, daughter of John Hess, and they have had three children, viz.: Mrs. Margaret Ann Bailey, now living with her father; Palmetta (deceased); and Luella (a cultured lady, married to William E. Robison, the genial postmaster of Beallsville, Penn., and proprietor of the Union Supply Co. store). The mother of this family died April 15, 1892.
Mr. Jeffrey has been proprietor of the principal hotel at Centreville, East Bethlehem township, for the past seventeen years. In politics he is a member of the Democratic party. Some years ago, while picking apples, he fell from the top of a twenty-five foot ladder, and though so severely injured that the physicians declared he could not live, his wonderful vitality conquered, but he has never fully recovered from the effects.
Text taken from page 1452 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]