BIOGRAPHY: Jeptha H. PEACHEY, Mifflin County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by P. S. Barr Copyright. All rights reserved. http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/ _______________________________________________ The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, page 632. JEPTHA H. PEACHEY, Belleville, Mifflin county, Pa., was born in Menno township, January 22, 1852, son of Jonathan and Nancy (Yoder) Peachey. His paternal great-grandfather, Moses Peachey, was a pioneer of the Kishacoquillas valley. His grandfather, John, was a large land owner. His position in the community was one of influence and respect. He was one of the first to be actively interested in the building of the valley railroad. He was a Whig and later a Republican. He served as county commissioner, as director of the poor and as school director. He married Rebecca Byler, of the valley. Their children are: Christian B., deceased; Rebecca, widow of Benjamin Byler; Barbara (Mrs. Levi Hostetler); Elizabeth; and Jonathan. Mr. Peachey was a member of the Amish church. Jonathan Peachey was born in 1826. He attended the subscription and common schools. Until he was twenty-one, he assisted his father on the farm; he then began farming on his own account a tract of 170 acres. He bought other land in the valley, on which he erected fine buildings, and made many improvements. He continued farming with much success until 1886, when he retired, but continued to reside on the homestead. Mr. Peachey is an enterprising citizen; he takes an active interest in local affairs. He is a Republican, and has held office of trust. He served as school director and as supervisor. Jonathan Peachey married Nancy Yoder, of the valley. Their surviving children are: Melinda (Mrs. Ephraim Yoder); Jeptha H.; J. C., resides in the west; Christian Y., of Chicago; John D., an electrician and inventor of Newark, N. J.; Abraham L., a dealer in implements; Thomas K., of Iowa; and Sarah A. Those deceased are: Fannie; Rufus; and Nannie. Mrs. Peachey died in 1887. Mrs. Peachey is a member of the Mennonite church. After attending the public schools of Menno township, Jeptha H. Peachey entered a normal school of Ohio, where he spent three years, and was graduated in 1881. He assisted his father on the farm, and taught in the schools of the township; he also taught in Belleville and Reedsville, and in Hancock county, O. Mr. Peachey is now very successfully farming the old homestead. He takes an active interest in local and political affairs, and is a Republican. He is a share-holder of the valley railroad, and a member of its board of directors. He was elected auditor in 1896. Jeptha H. Peachey was married to Sarah E. Zook, of Union township, in 1888. Mrs. and Mrs. Peachey are members of the Mennonite church.