BIO: JOHN U. SHEAFER, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

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  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 278-279
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  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
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    JOHN U. SHEAFER, former chief of police of Carlisle, Cumberland county, and
  who has served several years in that incumbency, is a native of that city and
  has lived there all Iris life, in fact his home has never been more than a
  hundred feet from his birthplace; the old Sheafer home on South Pitt street.
    
    Isaac Sheafer, his father, was also a native of Carlisle, and passed all
  his life there, dying in May, 1855. He was a carpenter by occupation. He
  married Miss Henrietta DeSano, who was also born in Carlisle, where her
  father, Rev. Frederick DeSano, a Lutheran minister, was stationed for many
  years. The DeSano family was of French extraction. Five children were born to
  Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Sheafer, namely: Hannah, who died unmarried in 1883;
  George E., deceased; John U.; Robert, who is a hotelkeeper in Carlisle; and
  Charlotte, who died in girlhood.
    
    John U. Sheafer was born Feb. 26, 1838, and until he was twelve years old
  attended the public schools. He then became a "runner" in a dry-goods store,
  the establishment of Philip A. Arnold, in Carlisle, where he remained three
  years, after which he went to school for another term. The following winter
  he entered the book store of A. M. Piper, as clerk, remaining with him
  fifteen months, and on leaving this position he commenced a three-year
  apprenticeship to the mason's trade. From 1857 to 1861 he was employed as
  journeyman at that trade, and then commenced to do business on his own
  account. But when his first building was partly tip the war broke out, and
  throwing his tools into the cellar Mr. Sheafer told the bands to finish the
  job and went to the front in answer to Lincoln's first call, for three-months
  men, as a corporal in Company C, 9th P. V. I., Col. Longenecker. Previous to
  this he had been a member of the Sumner Rifles, a local organization, three
  years. After completing his term of enlistment Mr. Sheafer remained in
  Washington, D. C., where he became a teamster in the Government employ,
  continuing thus for two years, at the end of that time returning home. In
  1863 he went with Gen. Smith's division, in charge of warehouses and in
  similar work, being so engaged for three months. Returning to Carlisle again,
  he went back to his trade as contractor, giving his entire attention to his
  business interests until his first election as chief of police, in 1878. He
  served two years in that office, in 1880 resuming his trade, which he
  continued to follow until 1897. In the latter year he was again elected chief
  of police, and was retained in the office, with the exception of the year
  1902, up to March, 1904, when his term expired. The length of his services
  bespeaks a good record and faithful discharge of his duty, and his repeated
  reelections have been compliments well earned by efficient service. Mr.
  Sheafer is a man of affable personality, has a keen wit which makes him an
  agreeable companion, and bears a reputation unsullied, whether as a business
  man or an official. He is energetic,
    
    CUMBERLAND COUNTY.  279
    
  and as active as many men twenty years his junior.
    
    Mr. Sheafer was married in Carlisle, in 1864, to Miss Margaret Jane Smyth,
  daughter of Michael and Margaret (Durnin) Smyth, the former a native of
  Ireland, the latter of Scotch-Irish parentage. Mrs. Sheafer passed away in
  1880. She was the mother of eight children, two of whom are deceased, the
  others being: Elizabeth, Mrs. Ira J. Davis, of Chambersburg; James R., of
  Carlisle; Charlotte, Mrs. James Dysart, of Carlisle; John T., of Carlisle;
  Blanche Independence; and Katy D. Mr. Sheafer has been a Republican since the
  formation of the party, and is a stanch supporter of its principles. He was
  one of the organizers of the Empire Hook and Ladder Co. in 1858-59, and was
  formerly a member of the old Union Fire Company.