BIO: John W. KAUFFMAN, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 51-52. 
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  JOHN W. KAUFFMAN, assistant yardmaster of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
Company at Huntingdon, Pa., was born near New Bloomfield, Perry county, Pa., 
November 1, 1845.  He is a son of Daniel and Hannah (Shoemaker) Kauffman.  
Daniel Kauffman was born March 13, 1812, in Schuylkill county, where he 
passed the first twenty years of his life.  He then removed with his parents 
to Perry county.  About 1854 he took up his residence in Mifflin county, and 
subsequently removed to Huntingdon county, where he spent the remainder of 
his life.  His wife, 
Hannah Shoemaker, was born in Perry county, November 23, 1813.  Mr. Kauffman 
learned the trade of shoemaking, but has passed the greater part of his life 
in farming.  He died in June, 1871.  This couple had twelve children; five 
of their family died in childhood, four reached maturity, and are now 
deceased, and three still survive: Benjamin J., residing near Newport, Perry 
county, and Daniel J., near Huntingdon, both farmers; also John W.
  The boyhood of John W. Kauffman was passed under the paternal roof, first 
in Perry county, afterwards in Mifflin county, whither his parents removed 
when he was seven years old.  In the schools of Breton and of Wayne 
townships, in the latter county, he received his education.  His first work 
after finishing his school course was farming; but when nearly sixteen, on 
February 27, 1861, he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in 
the maintenance of way department, and continued in that service until 
August 4, 1864.  On that date he enlisted in the Sixth Union League, One 
Hundred and Ninety-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, Col. H. G. Sickles.  Mr. 
Kauffman participated in eight engagements with his regiment, which was 
attached to the Army of the Potomac.  To that regiment was assigned an 
important part in the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House, 
Va.; it was detailed to receive the arms from the Confederate infantry.  Mr. 
Kauffman was mustered out at Arlington Heights, and finally discharged at 
Camp Cadwalader, Philadelphia, June 13, 1865, after eleven months of 
faithful service in defense of the Union.  Ten days later he returned to his 
home in Newton Hamilton, Mifflin county, and on July 1, of the same year, 
1865, reentered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the 
construction department; after eighteen months in this department he was 
transferred to the maintenance of way department.  On August 1, 1870, Mr. 
Kauffman was promoted to the position of floating gang foreman, and on April 
1, 1871, to that of conductor of work train.  This position he held until 
August 1, 1871, when he was appointed to his present place at Huntingdon, 
and given charge of the wrecking crew.
  Mr. Kauffman served the borough of Huntingdon efficiently for three years 
as councilman. He is a Democrat.  He is an active member of Mount Moriah 
Lodge, No. 300, F. and A.M., and of Robert Simpson Post, No. 44, G.A.R.
  John W. Kauffman was married at McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pa., March 21, 
1867, to Elizabeth, daughter of John F. Cottrell, of Shirley township, 
Huntingdon county; she was born June 20, 1847.  They have three children: 
John F., born at Mapleton, Huntingdon county, June 11, 1863, residing in 
Altoona, Pa.; L. Gertrude, born at Mapleton, March 2, 1871, wife of Rev. C. 
P. Tiffany, a Methodist preacher in the Wyoming District, Susquehanna 
county, Pa.; and Albert W., born in Huntingdon, July 27, 1873.  The family 
are members of the Presbyterian church.