BIOGRAPHY: John Bennet WAKEFIELD, Mifflin County, PA

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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 559.

  JOHN BENNET WAKEFIELD, deceased, formerly of Bratton township, Mifflin county, 
Pa., was born in Hill Valley, Huntingdon county, Pa., April 25, 1839.  He was a 
son of Eli and Elizabeth (May) Wakefield.  His father, Eli Wakefield, an 
intelligent and successful farmer, died at his home in the Kishacoquillas 
Valley, Brady township, Huntingdon county, February 12, 1867, aged seventy-one 
years, four months and twenty-seven days.  Mrs. Eli Wakefield died April 16, 
1856, aged fifty eight years and seven months.  Their children were:  Martha 
(Mrs. John Rupert), born May 16, 1823, has three sons and three daughters;  Jane 
(Mrs. Samuel Metz), born February 21, 1825, has three sons and three daughters;  
George, born October 16, 1826, married Fanny Metz, has five sons and one 
daughter;  Caleb, born November 24, 1828, married Miss Huey, has two sons and 
five daughters;  Mary (Mrs. Abraham Myers), born February 20, 1834, had two 
children who died in youth;  Robert, born February 29, 1836, married Mary Swain, 
has eight children;  John Bennet;  and Rebecca (Mrs. John Goodman), born 
September 21, 1841, has three children.
  John Bennet Wakefield received his education in the district schools of his 
native township.  He remained at home, working with his father on the farm until 
1865, when he began farming for himself on the old Wakefield homestead in 
Huntingdon county.  For some years he resided in Huntingdon, and afterwards in 
Petersburg, Pa.  In 1881, he removed to Bratton township, Mifflin county, and 
bought the Jacob Miller farm.  Mr. Wakefield's thorough training and 
intelligence made him a successful farmer, while his kindness and generous 
hospitality won for him the friendship of his neighbors.  Inheriting his 
father's genial disposition and strict sense of justice, he was beloved and 
esteemed in the community.  He was a firm Republican, actively interested in 
local politics.
  John Bennet Wakefield was married, January 4, 1865, to Letitia Ann, daughter 
of Robert Kennedy and Sarah (Sample) Allison.  Their only son, Eli Robert, was 
born May 6, 1866.  He was married February 23, 1888, to Maggie L., daughter of 
Jacob and Nancy (Frey) Miller.  They have four children:  Annie;  Sarah;  Laura 
May;  and Nancy Jane;  and one child died in infancy.  Eli Robert Wakefield is a 
good citizen, highly esteemed by his friends and neighbors.  Like his father he 
is an active member of the Republican party.  He is also a member of Lodge No. 
376, F. and A. M., at McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pa.
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TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:  John Bennet Wakefield was a son of Eli and Elizabeth "May" 
Wakefield (line two).  I believe that this is a typo and should read Eli and 
Elizabeth "Way" Wakefield