BIO: George P. WAKEFIELD, 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 222-223.
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  GEORGE P. WAKEFIELD, Petersburg, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Cromwell township, Huntingdon county, October 16, 1826, son of Eli and 
Elizabeth (Way) Wakefield. George Wakefield, father of Eli, and 
grandfather of George P. Wakefield, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, 
descended from an English family, and was a farmer in Mifflin county, 
Pa. He was of the old Whig party. He was married near Philadelphia to 
Miss Passmore, one of a family widely spread and much respected in that 
part of the State. Their children are: John; Augustus; Rebecca; Eli; 
and George. Mr. and Mrs. George Wakefield both died in Mifflin county. 
Eli Wakefield received a common school education, and became a farmer 
and raiser of stock. In 1822 he removed to Cromwell township, 
Huntingdon county, where he tilled his farm of 300 acres, and operated 
extensively in stock. Selling out in 1840, Eli Wakefield removed again, 
to Brady township, to a farm of 20 acres, which he improved, and on 
which he resided and carried on the business of his vocation for the 
remainder of his life. Originally a Whig, he became later in life a 
Republican. His wife, Elizabeth Way, was of Welsh descent, a native of 
Centre county, Pa. Their children are: Martha (Mrs. John Rupert); Jane, 
widow of Samuel Metz, of Brady township; George P.; Caleb, of 
Philadelphia, Pa.; Ann (Mrs. James Huey); Mary (Mrs. Abraham Myers); 
Robert M., of Shirley township; John Bennett, deceased; Rebecca, 
deceased, wife of John Goodman, of Brady township. Eli Wakefield was an 
excellent man, and was greatly respected. He belonged to the Society of 
Friends. He and his good wife both died on the homestead in Brady 
township.
  After finishing his education in the common schools of Brady 
township, George P. Wakefield, who was the eldest son of this family, 
resided with and assisted his father on the homestead until he was 
twenty-six. Then, being newly married, he made a home for himself and 
his wife by renting a farm in Brady township, which he cultivated for 
two years. He then rented another farm in Mifflin county, which he 
occupied and cultivated for two years; then another, of 140 acres, in 
Logan township, Huntingdon county, upon which he remained for thirteen 
years. Mr. Wakefield then bought his present farm of 75 acres. This he 
improved by remodeling the dwelling, building barns and adding other 
conveniences. Here he has since been engaged in agriculture and stock 
breeding. He owns besides 194 acres of land near his home farm, and 
some 38 acres in timber. He has enjoyed a good measure of success in 
his undertakings. That he possesses the confidence and respect of his 
neighbors is evidenced by the number of offices to which he has been 
elected. Mr. Wakefield is a Democrat, and takes a lively interest in 
public affairs. He has been a school director for six years; assessor 
for four years; being the first assessor elected in his township for a 
term of three years; supervisor for one year; tax collector and 
auditor.
  George P. Wakefield was married December 18, 1851, in Brady township, 
to Frances, daughter of John Metz, M. D., of that township, an old and 
well-known physician, in extensive practice. The children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Wakefield are: May F. (Mrs. Joseph F. Creswell), her husband a 
merchant of Petersburg; George M., farmer; Keyser M., farmer; Hiester 
C., farmer; Samuel H., on the farm; John, deceased; Harry M., deceased, 
and one that died in infancy. Mr. Wakefield is a member of the Lutheran 
church, active and useful. He has been deacon, and is now in the 
eldership. He also has been a teacher in the Sunday-school.