BIO: Henry Jackson SHEAFER, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, page 249.
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  SHEAFER, MAJ. HENRY JACKSON, son of Michael Sheafer and Susan Cloud, 
was born May 21, 1826, in Lancaster county, Pa.  When about six years 
of age his father removed to what was then called "Bear Gap," now 
Wiconisco, in the upper end of Dauphin county.  Here he resided with 
his parents, getting a few months' schooling during the winter season, 
until the age of fifteen, when he went to learn the drug business at 
Harrisburg.  He continued in this employment for four years, when he 
went to South Carolina and resided for some time in Columbia, the 
capital.  Coming North, he settled in the town of Milton, 
Northumberland county, and engaged in the drug trade.  In 1848 he was 
married to America O. Wood, daughter of Nicholas B. Wood.  At the death 
of his father he removed to the old home at Wiconisco, for the purpose 
of settling his father's estate.
  In 1856 he removed to Mendota, Dakota county, Minn., where he engaged 
in the lumber business in connection with Eli Pettijohn and Franklin 
Steele, of Fort Snelling.  They built a large mill at the mouth of the 
Minnesota river, and had extensive yards on the Minnesota river.  In 
the fall of 1858 he was elected a member of the Minnesota Legislature 
from Dakota county, and for some time took an active part in the 
politics of the young State.  After the breaking out of the war all 
business was completely paralyzed, and in the fall of 1861 he returned 
to Harrisburg.  During the winter of 1861-62 he recruited a company for 
the One Hundred and Seventh regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, and was 
mustered into service as captain of Company I.  At the battle of 
Antietam his brigade fought in the noted cornfield almost fronting the 
Dunker church, and suffered terribly in killed and wounded.  At one 
time the line being driven back, both color-bearers were shot dead and 
left on the field.  Captain Sheafer, ascertaining the fact, returned 
alone and rescued the colors and rejoined his command without injury.  
On December 21, 1862, he was commissioned major of the regiment.  In 
the Gettysburg campaign, on the first day of the fight, shortly after 
Reynolds was killed, Major Sheafer was severely wounded, but did not 
leave the field until the afternoon of the third day's fight.  Early in 
the fall he rejoined his command and participated with his regiment in 
the many battles they were engaged in up to March 8, 1865 (the 
expiration of his term of service), and was mustered out.  After the 
war he made Harrisburg his permanent home and engaged in mercantile 
pursuits.  In 1873 he was elected sheriff of Dauphin county, serving 
his term of three years.