BIO:  John F. Hershey, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Heidelberg Township, Pg 109

JOHN H. HERSHEY was born in Heidelberg Township, York Co., Penn., October 24, 
1845, a son of Benjamin and Barbara (Forry) Hershey, who were of Swiss descent.  
His great-great-grandfather, Andrew Hershey, born 1698, came to this country when 
quite young, and settled in Lancaster County, Penn.  He died December 25, 1754.  
Tradition says he owned and was buried on what is known as James Buchanan’s farm, 
near Lancaster City.  His son, John Hershey, came to York County, and settled on 
land that had been taken up by Andrew Hershey, in the eastern part of Heidelberg 
Township.  He died in 1795, and was buried in Garber’s graveyard, near Menges’ 
Mill.  His son, John Hershey, took the homestead farm (Menges’ Mill), where he 
lived all his life.  He was one of the defenders of 1812, and died in 1829.  His 
son, Benjamin, the father of John F. Hershey, was born in 1808, and spent his 
early life on the farm, and working in mills in Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania.  
He was married in 1844, to Barbara, daughter of John and Annie Forry.  After his 
marriage he bought a farm one-half mile west of Menges’ mill, where he lived 
until his death (1877), his widow surviving him but five years.  Both are buried 
in Garber’s graveyard.  John F. Hershey’s early life was spent on the farm.  He 
was married December 17, 1868, to Susan M. Miller, daughter of Jacob and Susan 
(Mause) Miller, of Heidelberg Township.  They have had four sons:  J. Jacob, 
Joseph (deceased), Charles and Alvin.  Mr. Hershey owns one tract of land, about 
106 acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.