BIO: Andrew Sheely, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER XLVII.

                             HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP.

483  HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP.

  ANDREW SHEELY, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, is one of the oldest 
residents of the county, having been born near where he now lives, 
March 16, 1806.  His father, John Sheely, was also born on the same 
farm, and died before the war of the Rebellion.  Our subject's mother 
died while the Confederate forces were at Chambersburg, and, as Andrew 
Sheely says, was buried somewhat hastily for fear of a raid.  Our 
subject's grandfather, also a resident of this county, when a young man 
went to Germany in search of a fortune said to have been left to him, 
but returned without it, and settled down to farming, in which he was 
successful, owning four farms at the time of his death.  Andrew Sheely 
has seven children living - four daughters and three sons.  His eldest 
son, William, in 1861, at the age of twenty-one years, enlisted in the 
Twentieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and three months 
afterward, while carrying dispatches, attempted to ford the Potomac 
River on horseback, at a place known as "Sir John's Run," and was 
drowned; his body was recovered by his comrades, was sent home and was 
buried in the cemetery attached to St. John's Lutheran Church, near by.  
He was one of the first of Cumberland County's heroes to give up his 
life for his country.  One daughter of our subject is also deceased - 
Fanny, wife of Martin Wise.  The children now living are Catherine 
(wedded to Solomon Beck, farmer, of Hampden Township), Elizabeth (wife 
of William Koser of Mechanicsburg), Susan (wife of John Blair, of East 
Pennsborough Township), Samuel (married to Margaret Bosley), Mary Ann 
(keeping house for her father), John (residing in Shiremanstown and 
married to Becky, daughter of Benjamin Spong), Levi (married to Sarah, 
daughter of David Sheaffer).  Until he was about twenty-five years of 
age, Andrew Sheely lived with his father.  He then married Fanny, 
daughter of John Eichelberger, of Lower Allen Township, and moved to 
the farm he now occupies, and on which he has ever since resided.  His 
wife died in 1884.  Although in his eightieth year, Mr. Sheely carries 
on his farm himself, and is hale and hearty.  He is a consistent member 
of the Lutheran Church and enjoys the respect and esteem of the entire 
community.