BIO:  Raphael SHERFY, Cumberland Township, Adams County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania
Chicago:  Warner, Beers & Co., 1886
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Part III, History of Adams County, Page 403

RAPHAEL SHERFY (deceased) was born in Cumberland Township, Adams Co., Penn., 
June 26, 1843, a son of Joseph and Mary (Hagen) Sherfy, natives of Adams County, 
the former of German the latter of Scotch-Irish descent.  They reared six 
children, of whom Raphael is the eldest.  Our subject, not liking farm work, and 
having a taste for books, while attending the district schools prepared himself 
to teach, and in that profession did the first work in life for himself.  Young 
Sherfy was engaged in teaching eight terms, with the object in view of obtaining 
a classical education, in which, however, he was thwarted by a loss with which 
his parents met in the destruction of their barn by fire, after which it was 
thought that the means necessary for an education could not be expended; but Mr. 
Sherfy, being ambitious and industrious, devoted his spare time in canvassing 
for some good book, and being well known and of high standing, and having a 
large circle of friends, he was generally successful.  He seldom failed in any 
enterprise he undertook.  He liked to work among the trees, and made the nursery 
and growing of fruit his business; he also took an interest in bee culture, and 
was meeting with marked success in both until his death, which occurred in 1882.  
He was a member of the German Baptist Church.  In 1871 Mr. Sherfy was married to 
Miss Ellen, daughter of Jonas and Mary (Hartman) Rebert, both of German descent; 
former a farmer and a native of York County, Penn., latter born in this county.  
To our subject and wife were born the following named children:  Mary Gertrude, 
Annie Rebert, Bertha Otelia, Carrie Belle and Raphael.  Mrs. Sherfy is a member 
of the German Baptist Church.  Since the death of Mr. Sherfy the widow has had 
full charge of the nursery and fruit-growing farm, which she also conducts.  Six 
acres of the farm are given to the nursery; fruits are grown on the land, a 
portion of which is a peach orchard of fifteen acres.  The buildings upon the 
place are neat and substantial.