BIOGRAPHY: Alonzo G. NEFF, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 429-30
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ALONZO G. NEFF, an intelligent and energetic business man, and a popular justice 
of the peace of Hastings, is a son of Daniel and Emily (Hurley) Neff, and was 
born at Glen Hope, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1854. He 
received his education in the public schools of Clearfield and Cambria counties, 
and taught for seven winters, two of which were spent in Kansas, while the 
summers of this period, extending from 1876 to 1882, he devoted to work on a 
saw-mill in which he was interested. Two years later he removed to Olanta, 
Clearfield county; acted one year as manager of a general store, at Madera, this 
State, and then gave his attention to the saw-milling business until 1890, when 
he became general manager of A. A. Long's mercantile establishment at Olanta, 
which place he left October 1, 1892, to remove to Hastings. After coming to 
Hastings he acted as assistant freight agent at the Pennsylvania railroad 
station for eighteen months, and then engaged in his present dray business, 
which has grown with the town and has proved profitable.
     Alonzo G. Neff, on November 28, 1878, married Rose Shuff, a daughter of 
Abraham Shuff, of Woodward township, Clearfield county. Their union has been 
blessed with seven children, a son and six daughters: Lona, Harry W., Helen, 
Florence, Jennie, Grace and Katherine.
     In politics Mr. Neff is a staunch and active republican. He served as 
justice of the peace in Pike township, Clearfield county, from 1886 to 1891, and 
on June 9, 1896, was appointed a justice of the peace, at Hastings, to fill the 
place of his brother, H. W. Neff, who had resigned. He is a member of Pacific 
Lodge, No. 402, K. of P., of Houtzdale, this State, and Washington Camp, No. 
407, P. S. of A., being a past chancellor of his lodge and a past president of 
his camp. In his business relations 'Squire Neff has always been prompt and 
accurate. He is a man of judgment and discernment, a good citizen and an 
efficient and popular public official. He devotes his time and energies 
principally to the management of his present line of business and the discharge 
of the duties of his office.
     The Neffs are of Swiss origin, and were among the early settlers of York 
county, in a day when the western confines of civilization in Pennsylvania had 
been just pushed across the Susquehanna river. Daniel Neff, the grandfather of 
'Squire Neff, was a native and life-long resident of York county, where he was a 
farmer, and an early member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He had a large 
family of children, of whom eight grew to manhood and womanhood: Daniel, John, 
Henry, Aaron, Reuben, Susan, Mary and Sarah.
     Daniel Neff, the eldest of these children, was born in Lower Windsor 
township, York county, April 17, 1826, and died at Brisbin, Clearfield county. 
He was reared on the farm, and early in life engaged in the lumbering business. 
In 1852 he came to Cambria county, and the next year opened a hotel at Glen 
Hope, Clearfield county, which he gave up at the end of twelve months, in 
deference to his wife's temperance opinions. Retiring from the hotel, he re-
embarked in the lumbering business, which he followed successfully up to the 
time of his death. In 1862 he returned to Clearfield county, where he resided at 
different points in order to push forward his lumbering operations to the best 
advantage. Daniel Neff was active and energetic, alike in business, politics and 
religious matters. He was a republican and a Methodist, and while active and 
useful in his party and church, yet never sought for office or position in 
either.
     Mr. Neff wedded Emily Hurley, a daughter of Nathan Hurley, of Unionville, 
Centre county. To this union were born five sons and four daughters: 'Squire 
Alonzo G., H. M., a lumberman of West Virginia; R. D., in the insurance business 
at Meadville, Crawford county; H. W., now deceased; Adella, wife of H. H. 
Gaylor, of Phillipsburg, this State; Cora, married W. Forcey, of Beach Creek, 
Pennsylvania; W. M., locomotive engineer on Beach Creek railroad; Bertha, wife 
of G. M. Rosser, of Kenmore, this State; and Lona, deceased.