BIO: John Clark MAHAFFEY, Clearfield County, PA
 
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From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 785 - 787.
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  JOHN CLARK MAHAFFEY, assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Cherry 
Tree, Pa., was born at Glen Hope, Clearfield county, September 18, 1877, a son 
of William T. and Julia J. (Patchin) Mahaffey.  His grandparents on the paternal 
side were John and Ella (Byers) Mahaffey, who resided in the first half of the 
nineteenth century on the old family homestead near Cherry Tree.
  Mr. Mahaffey's grandparents on the maternal side were Col. Clark and Hetty G. 
Patchin.  Col. Clark Patchin was noted in this section as a military officer in 
the Civil war, having been appointed two terms as brigadier-general under Gov. 
Curtin, of Pennsylvania.  He was a fine specimen of military physique.  He was 
organizer of almost all companies enlisting in the counties of Indiana, 
Clearfield and Cambria.
  William Tuttle Mahaffey, father of the subject of this sketch, is one of the 
best known men in this part of Clearfield county.  Born in 1848, his first 
occupation was teaching school, but he subsequently became associated with his 
father in the lumber business, and also conducted a general store for a short 
time at Cherry Tree.  About 1878 he bought out an old manufacturing business and 
engaged in the manufacture of farm, lumber and saw-mill machinery, continuing in 
this business for twenty-one years.  He then sold out and for some six years 
following was largely interested in the lumber business, being very successful.  
He finally retired and is now a resident of Cherry Tree.  He was one of the 
founders of the First National Bank of this place; in which his son is now 
assistant cashier; was also a founder and president of the Cherry Tree Electric 
Light Company, and a founder and director of the Cherry Tree Water Company.  He 
was twice married:  first to Julia Jane, daughter of Col. Clark and Hetty 
(Graham) Patchin, of which union there were six children, including our subject; 
and secondly, in 1902 (his first wife having died in 1894) to Sarah Edmonson, 
who is still living.
  John Clark Mahaffey, after completing the usual school studies at the age of 
sixteen, entered upon a commercial course at the state normal school, graduating 
in 1900.  He was then engaged for five years as auditor for the Pennsylvania 
Railroad on the C. & C. Division.  On January 3, 1903, he entered upon his 
present position as assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Cherry Tree, 
of which, as already stated, his father was one of the founders, being still a 
director.  Our subject is also interested in the coal and lumber business.  He 
is a Republican in politics and is now serving as treasurer of the school board.  
He is also a director in the Cherry Tree Water Company.  He is a member of the 
Methodist Protestant church of Cherry Tree, and has always been connected with 
the Christian Endeavor Society, having been president for a number of years.  He 
is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  An energetic, capable 
business man, he bids fair to prove a worthy successor to his father in 
advancing the moral and material interests of the town and its vicinity.
  Mr. Mahaffey was married June 17, 1908, to Mary Elinor Beyer, who was born at 
Punxsutawney, Pa., June 14, 1883, a daughter of Dr. William F. and Margaret Ann 
Beyer.  Dr. William F. Beyer is one of the oldest physicians in Punxsutawney.  
He is also interested in lumber and coal.  He is president of the Punxsutawney 
Light Company, a stockholder in the First National Bank and a very influential 
business man, outside his practice of medicine.  Mrs. Margaret Ann Beyer, mother 
of Mrs. J. C. Mahaffey and wife of Dr. William F. Beyer, was a woman of high 
character, and a very ardent church worker, being president and treasurer of 
several societies in the M. E. church of Punxsutawney.  Her father, Ralston 
Mitchell, was a soldier in the Civil war and died in Libby prison.
  Mrs. Mahaffey is a graduate of the Punxsutawney high school, and later of 
Shelton Hill School, Philadelphia, and was a student at Meadville College, in 
which latter institution she spent two years.  She is an active member of the 
Presbyterian church, belonging to the Ladies' Aid Society and also to the 
Mission Society.