BIO: Michael SHEAFER, Dauphin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JAWB

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/dauphin/runk/runk-bios.htm
_______________________________________________________________ 

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 227-228.
_______________________________________________________________ 

  SHEAFER, MICHAEL, son of George Sheafer, was born December 1, 1803, 
at Halifax, Dauphin county, Pa.  For some years he resided in 
Harrisburg, Pa., and when quite a young man he married Susan Cloud, of 
Lancaster county, and made his home in that county a few years.  They 
had issue:  Adaline, married Rev. C. A. Wyeth; Henry J.; John M., a 
civil engineer, who died at Selma, Alabama, August 11, 1871; Mary L., 
married Theodore D. Irish; Harriet Matilda, married Joseph Davidson; 
Lucetta, died June 9, 1837; Anne Eliza, married John Thompson; George 
T., died November 4, 1867, at Ashland; and Benjamin Ingersoll.  In 
1831-32 the Lykens Valley Coal Company was organized, and commenced 
operations at what was then called "Bear Gap" (now Wiconisco).  The 
company built a large log frame house, and Michael Sheafer moved into 
it for the purpose of boarding the workmen and entertaining the members 
of the company.  At that time the Upper End (now Lykens, Wiconisco and 
Williamstown) was one vast wilderness, with a few log huts scattered 
around.  He resided in this place up to the date of his death, November 
30, 1849, taking an active part in the development of the coal region.  
He was one of the contractors in the building of the Lykens Valley 
railroad, also in the building of the aqueduct and other improvements 
at the mouth of the Wiconisco canal feeder.  After the first railroad 
was built from the Gap to Millersburg, he had the contract for the 
delivery of the coal, floating it across the river at Mount Patrick on 
the Pennsylvania canal.  His wife, Susan Sheafer, who was a most 
estimable Christian woman, died at Harrisburg, Pa., on the 17th of 
February, 1876.  The remains of both rest in Kalmia cemetery, 
Harrisburg, Pa.