Biographical Sketch of Jacob MACFEE/MCAFEE; Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Gail Steckel http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************* NOTE: Found in the archives at the Chester Co. Historical Soc. - sorry, cannot name publication - the pages were torn out of a book and placed in a folder marked "McAfee family" The top of the page noted "CHESTER AND DELAWARE COUNTIES" JACOB MACFEE, residing in East Nantmeal township, about one mile from the village, is a splendid representative of that class of man known as independent farmers, who by the exercise of energy, perseverance and keen forethought are enabled to live comfortably and at the same time acquire a competence which will prove of lasting benefit to them in their declining years. He was born in West Vincent township, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1847, the son of Isaac and Catherine Macfee. Isaac Macfee, father of Jacob Macfee, was a shoemaker by trade and conducted his operations along that line in West Vincent township. He was an upright, conscientious man, and faithfullv performed all the duties and obligations which fall to the lot of every man. He married Catherine Smith, daughter of John and Mary Smith, and through this union ten children were born, seven of whom are living at the present time (1903). Jonah, a farmer in West Vincent township, William, engaged in agricultural pursuits in the town of Birchrunville; G. W. Powell, ,a farmer in East Nantmeal township; Margaret wife of Levi Shoffner, a prosperous agriculturist of West Pikeland township: Hannah, wife of William H. Walleigh, a farmer of Chester Springs; Amanda, widow of John Eaches, who during his life time was engaged in farming in East Nantmeal township; and Jacob Macfee. The public schools of West Vincent township afforded Jacob Macfee a good English education, which is an important and essential requisite in the life and career of every individual. He chose for his life work the occupation of farmer,, conducted extensive operations on a tract of land which he rented for that purpose, and in the year 1891, having accumulated sufficient funds from his many years of labor, he purchased a farm situated in East Nantmeal township, about one mile from the village, which was formerly the property of Joseph Phipps. His farm consists of ninety-four acres of rich and arable land, sixty acres of which is under cultivation, whereon he raises a general line of farm and garden produce. He also has a dairy of twelve head of cows, some of the finest specimens of Jersey cattle in Chester county, having devoted considerable attention to the breeding of this species for the past twenty years. Ever since attaining his majority, Mr. Macfee has voted the Democratic ticket, and with the exception of one year has been the incumbent of the township offices, among which have been the positions of constable, assessor and collector. Mr. Mcafee was united in marriage to Martha Hoffecker, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Ramstine) Hoffecker, the farmer named having been a prosperous farmer in East Nantmeal township, in the vicinity of East Nantmeal Post Office. Their children are: 1. John A., a farmer in East Nantmeal township, married Ada Christman, of East Nantmeal township, (daughter of George Christman, the old veteran fox hunter of Chester county. The Christman family date back to the Revolutionary period, as do also the Macfee family, who are of Irish parentage, and came to this country in the early days, settling near the town of Phoenixville, Chester county, Pennsylvania. 2. Emma, wife of William T. Miller, a farmer of West Vincent township. 3. Walter, engaged in farming pursuits in East Nantmeal township, married Carrie E. Eyrich, daughter of Wellington Eyrich, a member of one of the old families of East Nantmeal township. 4. Maggie. 5. Jacob, Jr. 7. Laura. 8. Florence. The four latter named reside at home with their parents. Mr. Macfee and family hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of East Nantmeal township.