BIO: Abram C. SHOFF, Clearfield County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm _____________________________________________________________ From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr., Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 452 & 453. _____________________________________________________________ ABRAM C. SHOFF, owner and proprietor of a general store at Madera, Pa., located on Main Street, was born April 16, 1849, in what was then Beccaria but is now Bigler Township, Clearfield County, Pa. His parents were Samuel and Jane (Hegarty) Shoff. The father came to Clearfield County from Lancaster, while it is probable that the mother was born on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, old family records having been lost. Abram C. Shoff obtained his education in the country schools and as soon as old enough and strong enough went to work in the woods and continued lumbering until it was no longer profitable in this section, the land being practically all cleared off. He owns three acres of land outside of Madera and enjoys looking after its cultivation. In 1890 he embarked in the mercantile business at his present stand and has built up an excellent trade and is ably assisted in this enterprise by his capable wife. Mr. Schoff was married June 19, 1879, to Miss Cynthia E. Lukens, a daughter of J. A. and Agnes (Maguigen) Lukens. Mrs. Abram C. (Lukens) Shoff's paternal ancestors can be traced back five generations. Gabriel Lukens came to America from Germany, one of two brothers; sons, Charles and John, both surveyors appointed by the Governor under King George. The former did much of the early surveying in Centre County. John was killed by the Indians near Standing Stone, Huntingdon County. The third in descent was Abraham Lukens, who wedded ------ Brown of Juniata County; he was twice married, his second wife being Miss Maggie Sanderson. His son David wedded Elizabeth Sunderland, daughter of David and ----- Hamilton Sunderland of Mifflin County, who were of Scotch descent. Four children weer born to this union, James A. being the eldest. The others were Wm. B., Sarah A. Jones, and David of Atchison, Kan., all now deceased. They were mainly Presbyterians. On the maternal John Maguigen wedded ----- Cross, both of Lancaster County but later came to Mifflin County. To this union there were five children. Mrs. Agnes (Maguigen) Lukens is in her 84th year and is the mother of Cynthia E. (Lukens) Shoff. Her other children were: William A., of Clearfield, Pa.; Clara; Blanche and Jessie W., both of whom are deceased: Bertha, who is the wife of W. C. Smith of Johnstown, Pa.; and Emma, who is deceased, was the wife of George C. Roland, of Indiana, Pa. The grandfathers of Mrs. Shoff were David Lukens and John Maguigen. Her parents were members of the Baptist church. Her father was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Shoff have seven children, namely: William A., who lives in Madera; Charles, who is manager of a company store at Beulah, Clearfield County; Edna, who is the wife of E. P. Hagan, of Osceola Mills; and Benton, V. E., Joseph C. and Wilhelmina. Mr. and Mrs. Shoff attend the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican. For a number of years he has belonged to Lodge No. 669, Odd Fellows, at Glen Hope, Pa.