Mahaffey Descendants, published 1914, pp. 13-28

GENEALOGY OF LYCOMING AND
CLEARFIELD COUNTIES [PENNSYLVANIA]

1.  Thomas Mahaffey, the progenitor of the Lycoming and Clearfield County Mahaffey’s was born in northern Ireland, prob­ably Donegal county, in 1734. He emigrated to this country prior to 1771, and probably located in East Pennsbor­ough township, Cumberland Co., Pa., as here his first child was born. His wife's name was Elizabeth Lindsey, who was born in 1741, and as that name is closely associated with the early history of that section, she is doubtless of that stock. His peo­ple were Scotch-Irish, as were hers also, and they were of Presbyterian faith.

In 1773 he located on the west side of the Lycoming creek, Lycoming Co., Penna., near what is now Bridge Number Two, and built a log cabin at that place. At this time the name of Joseph Mahaffey is closely associated with Thomas, as land warrants were taken out by them at the same time, and their places either adjoined or were one and the same—a sun-dial found on the premises bearing the name of Joseph Mahaffey, and the date 1803 goes to prove that they were closely asso­ciated in some way, but all trace of Joseph has been lost. The name of the place first patented to Thomas Mahaffey was “Pleasant Grove.”

In 1778 an uprising of the Indians caused him to carry his family and live stock to a nearby “Block House.” The horses broke loose and went back home. To recover them he crept cautiously back through the woods and on the edge of the clearing paused in sight of the house. An Indian appeared in the doorway and smoke was seen emerging from the roof; soon the whole was a mass of flames. It is told that he recov­ered the horses, but he and other settlers were obliged to abandon the land for a time.

In 1780 he returned and built a more pretentious house on the Lycoming Creek State Road. This was the first house built be­tween Williamsport and Trout Run. In 1784 a new grant of land gave him the opportunity of increasing his holdings until by patent and purchase he owned about six hundred acres. Some of this land and the house remained in the possession of his immediate descendants until 1897, when it was sold and the old house was torn down in 1890.

It has always been understood in the family that Thomas Mahaffey fought in the Revolutionary War. A history of Lycoming county states that he was a soldier in the Revolution and noted for his strength and courage.

Thomas Mahaffey died January 13th, 1813, and his wife in the year 1819. They are buried in the cemetery at Newberry. Simple marble slabs mark their last resting place. Thomas and Elizabeth Lindsay Mahaffey had six children, as follows:

  1. 1John Mahaffey,2 b. Feb. 25, 1771, m. Lydia Bailey.

  2. 2Elizabeth Mahaffey,2 b. 1773, m. first Hall, second Tallman.

  3. 3William Mahaffey,2 b. 1779, m. Nancy Bennett.

  4. 4Moses Mahaffey,2 b. Aug. 8. 1781, m. Mary Reynolds.

  5. 5James Mahaffey,2 d. a bachelor in Burnside, Clearfield Co., and was buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery, near New Washington, Pa.

  6. 6Mary Mahaffey2 m. Cummings.

This family, so far as we know, are the only Mahaffeys who settled near the headwaters of the Susquehanna river, and therefore must be those relatives of whom John Mahaffey, of Drumore, Parrish of Lifford, County Donegal, Ireland, and his nephew, James Mahaffey, born about 1770, of Masshill, Parrish of Lifford, county Donegal, Ireland, talked when James Mahaffey of Pittsburg, Penna., now deceased, the grand nephew of one, and the son of the other, overheard them speak of “some relatives who emigrated to America, and settled somewhere near headwaters of the Susquehanna.” This same James of Pittsburgh said his father claimed kinship with the father of Doctor John Pentland Mahaffey, of Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.

Therefore, logically speaking, this branch of the Mehaffey family are of the same stock as the above-mentioned branches in Ireland.

Second Generation

2.  1JOHN MAHAFFEY,2 (Thomas1)

John Mahaffey, the eldest son of Thomas and Elizabeth Lindsey Mahaffey, was born February 25, 1771, in East Pennsborough Township, Cumberland county. Pa. His parents settled in Lycoming county in 1773. He married Lydia Bailey, who was born August 18, 1778, in Chester county, Pa.

John Mahaffey died September 22, 1848, and his wife, March 26, 1864. They lived in Lycoming county, one mile above the Moses Mahaffey place, and here their children were born.

John Mahaffey, about whom very little information is available, is described as an unusually large man, weighing about 240 pounds. They had ten children:

  1. 1Elizabeth Mahaffey,2 b. Oct. 5, 1800, m. ____ Wilson.

  2. 2Sarah Mahaffey,2 b. Sept. 19, 1802, m. Joseph Rathmell.

  3. 3William Mahaffey,2 b. Oct. 1, 1804, m. Susan Bowers.

  4. 4Mary Mahaffey,2 b. Sept. 20, 1806, m. first, John, second, Mann.

  5. 5John Mahaffey,2 b. Jan. 31, 1809, m. ______ Knight.

  6. 6Esther Mahaffey,2 b. Apr. 11, 1811, m. Henry Richard, d. Nov. 1, 1845.

  7. 7Margaret Mahaffey,2 b. Nov. 2, 1813, m. Thomas Corter.

  8. 8Thomas Mahaffey,2 b. Mar. 3, 1816, d. unmarried.

  9. 9Lydia Ann Mahaffey,2 b. Sept. 18, 1819, m. John Ball.

  10. 10Nathan Mahaffey,2 b. June 24, 1822, d. Oct. 16, 1856.

3.  2ELIZABETH MAHAFFEY2 (Thomas1)

Elizabeth Mahaffey, second child, and eldest daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Lindsey Mahaffey, was born 1773, and died in 1865. She was the mother of Joseph Hall, later in life married a Mr. Tallman, and they had several children.

  1. 1Joseph Hall,3 b. 1819, m. Eliza Graff Bitting.

4.  3WILLIAM MAHAFFEY2 (Thomas1)

William Mahaffey, third child of Thomas and Elizabeth Lindsey Mahaffey, was born in Lycoming County, Pa., in the year 1779, was married in 1806 to Nancy Bennett, who was born 1784. She was the daughter of John and Margaret Clendenin Bennett, of Woodward Township, Lycoming county, Pa.

They first lived on a farm near the old Mahaffey homestead, but in 1827 he moved his family to Clearfield county, pur­chased a tract of land on the river at Burnside, and built a log house on the present site of the Horace Patchin house. In 1828 his wife, Nancy Bennett, died, leaving six sons.

In 1830 William Mahaffey married Elizabeth Talbert, and in 1833 returned to Lycoming county, leaving his three sons and his brother James on the land. A few years prior to his death he came to live with his son John, near Cherry Tree, Pa. His second wife died in 1849, leaving two daughters.

A grand-daughter says: "I remember grandfather as quite tall, with a cheery, open countenance, a mild blue eye, quite bald and wore side whiskers. His style of dress was that of a gentle­man of his times, blue broadcloth suit, plaited bosom white linen shirt, with a silk stock, but not the flaring collar above, just a neat turnover collar of linen. He was our confidante and playfellow, and entered into our childish sports with zest. We were fond of hearing grandfather's tales and jokes, the telling of which was his delight. He spoke of his mother with the greatest reverence, saying, 'She was a good, Christian mother.'"

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. One of the few things he brought with him to his son’s home was his large family Bible, bound in red Morocco. He died in 1859, and is buried in the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery, at Cherry Tree, Pa. The children of William and Nancy Bennett were:

  1. 1John Mehaffey,3 b. 1807, m. Ellen Boyer.

  2. 2Thomas Mahaffey,3 b. 1809, m. first, Margaret Mitchel; second, Harriet Woodford.

  3. 3William Mahaffey, Jr.,3 b. 1811, m. Creacy Huller.

  4. 4James Mahaffey,3 b. 1813, m. Elizabeth Holter.

  5. 5Robert Mahaffey,3 b. 1815, m. first, Mary McGee, second, Mary Catharine Johnston.

  6. 6Moses Mahaffey,3 (who went to Illinois, then to Iowa, and to California in ’46. He was last heard from in British Columbia.)

The two daughters of William and Elizabeth Talbert Mahaffey were:

  1. Hannah went to Louisiana as a missionary amongst col­ored people, sent by the Presbyterian Church. She died and was buried in Louisiana. Left her property to Clayton Mahaffey, son of Thomas Mahaffey, 3rd.

  2. Jane first married George Johnson, and had one daughter Georgiana. Married a second time to John Hoyt, and they had several children.

5.  4MOSES MAHAFFEY2 (Thomas1)

Moses Mahaffey, fourth child of Thomas and Elizabeth Lindsey Mahaffey, was born August 8, 1781. He married Mary, daughter of David Reynolds, who came from Orange county, New York, and was the first settler on Trout Run, Lycoming county. In person Moses Mahaffey was a man quite tall and straight, had blue eyes and light hair, but not much of it (a Mahaffey trait). He and his wife were Presbyterians, she joining the Methodist Church later in life. He was a Whig, later a Repub­lican, filling various township offices. He lived for years in the old Mahaffey homestead, and died there March 20, 1851, his wife surviving him until March 27, 1857, when she died in her 93rd year. They had seven children, as follows:

  1. 1Sarah Mahaffey,3 b. Feb. 9, 1812, d. Sept. 21, 1831.

  2. 2Lindsey Mahaffey,3 b. Aug., 1814, m. first, Sarah J. Riley, and second, Sarah Jane Straight.

  3. 3David Reynolds Mahaffey,3 b. 1816, m. Phoebe Thompson.

  4. 4Hannah Mahaffey,3 b. Feb. 15, 1819, d. Jan. 30, 1896.

  5. 5Elizabeth Mahaffey,3 b. Feb. 22, 1821, m. John Carothers. She died Aug. 22, 1907. Lived above Williamsport, Pa.

  6. 6William Mahaffey,3 b. 1824, m. first, Elizabeth Eldridge; second, Catherine R. Updegraff.

  7. 7John Mahaffey,3 b. Sept. 14, 1826, d. May 5, 1828.

Third Generation

9.  2SARAH MAHAFFEY3 (John,2, Thomas1)

Sarah Mahaffey, second child of John and Lydia Bailey Mahaffey, was born September 19, 1802, in Lycoming town­ship, Lycoming county, Pa. In 1824 she married Joseph Rathmell, who was born 1803. She died in 1875, and he in 1856. To them were born nine children:

  1. 1John M. Rathmell,4 b. 1824, d. 1840.

  2. 2Mary Rathmell,4 b. 1826, d. 1888.

  3. 3Thomas M. Rathmell,4 b. 1829, d. 1902.

  4. 4William Rathmell,4 b. 1831, d. 1831.

  5. 5Ezra Rathmell,4 b. 1832, m. Mary Louise Grafius.

  6. 6Lydia Ann Rathmell,4 b. 1835, d. 1902.

  7. 7Margarert Rathmell,4 b. 1837, d. 1900.

  8. 8Emeline E. Rathmell,4 b. 1840, m. Samuel MacBeck.

  9. 9Sarah Rathmell,4 b. 1843, d. April 21, 1914, m. Thomas Caldwell.

10.  3WILLIAM MAHAFFEY3 (John,2 Thomas1)

William Mahaffey, third child of John and Lydia Bailey Mahaffey, was born October 1, 1804. On January 24, 1824, he was united in marriage with Susan Bowers, who was born August 7, 1807. They lived in Laurelsock township, Lycoming county, Pa., and to this union were born twelve children. William Mahaffey died December 22, 1882, and his wife April 6, 1881. The names of their children are:

  1. 1Sarah Jane Mahaffey,4 b. Oct. 15, 1824, m. Thomas Blair.

  2. 2John L. Mahaffey,4 b. Oct. 4, 1826, m. Mary C. Fink.

  3. 3Mary Mahaffey,4 died in infancy.

  4. 4William C. Mahaffey,4 b. June 11, 1830, m. Margaret Younkin.

  5. 5Thomas Mahaffey,4 b. Aug. 20, 1833, m. Elizabeth B. Sholder.

  6. 6Esther Mahaffey,4 b. March 20, 1836, d. May 28, 1874, m. Jacob Roller.

  7. 7Lydia Dun Mahaffey,4 b. May 24, 1838, d. Feb. 28, 1853.

  8. 8James W. Mahaffey,4 b. April 14, 1840, m. Eva S. Flincher.

  9. 9Margaret Mahaffey,4 b. May 15, 1842, m, Adam Hare.

  10. 10Moses L. Mahaffey,4 b. Nov. 19, 1844, m. Mary B. Berry.

  11. 11Susan E. Mahaffey,4 b. Jan. 18, 1847, m. John Kulp.

  12. 12Nancy C. Mahaffey,4 b. Sept. 21, 1850, m. Samuel Compton.

24.  1JOSEPH HALL,3 (Elizabeth Hall,2 Thomas Mahaffey1)

Joseph Hall, son of Elizabeth Mahaffey and ____ Hall, was born 1810. In the year 1840 was married to Eliza Graff Bitting, who was born 1819. He died 1883, and his wife 1910. Nine children blessed their union:

  1. 1Mary E. Hall,4 b. 1842, m. Henry H. Clendenin.

  2. 2John L. Hall,4 b. 1843.

  3. 3Hannah M. IIall,4 b. 1846, m. William Minier, 1886.

  4. 4Loretta Hall,4 b. 1844, m. Adam Striley.

  5. 5William M. Hall,4 b. 1851.

  6. 6Sarah Jane Hall,4 b. 1853, d. 1858.

  7. 7James B. Hall,4 b. 1856, m. Emma Young.

  8. 8Matthew M. Hall,4 b. 1859, m. Mary Young.

  9. 9Anna E. Hall,4 b. 1863. m. W. L. Kendall.

18.  1JOHN MAHAFFEY,3 (William,2 Thomas Mahaffey,1)

John Mahaffey, eldest son of William and Nancy Bennett Mahaffey, born in Lycoming County, Pa., in the year 1807. When twenty years old the family moved to Burnside, Clear­field County, Pa. The mother being in feeble health, was his special care, and she received at his hands the loving mini­stra­tions of a devoted son. He was married December 24, 1833, to Ellen Boyer, by the Rev. Robert Simonton, the first M. P. mini­ster in Clearfield County, at her father’s home, near New Washington, Pa.

In l837, the Burnside place was sold and John moved his family to New Washington, where they lived with his wife’s parents, while he went to Illinois with a view to locating in that section, his brother Thomas accompanying him. Not finding the country to their liking they returned to Clearfield county. John then bought a tract of land near Cherry Tree, and in 1845 built on the banks of the Susquehanna, one mile below town, the second frame house in that section of the country. This place was named “Locust Villa.” The house was a story and a half high, with three dormer windows in the roof facing front. These windows have since been removed. In 1888 he moved to Cherry Tree, to be nearer his children, Margaret and William, buying the Jesse Harter house.

Grandfather was at least six feet tall, had clear, blue eyes, was clean shaven and had the usual “Mahaffey” scarcity of hair, and as his grandchildren remember him, was never seen with­out a cane, and always carried his silk bandanna handkerchief in his large, soft, black, felt hat. He used some expressions that will never be forgotten. When provoked, or ordinary lan­guage failed to express his feelings, he would say with empha­sis, “Jiminy.” He always called a saucer, a “sasser,” and told a granddaughter she was the “sassiest girl in three counties.”

Absolute fairness in all his dealings, mixed with unusual be­nev­olence and unselfishness, made him a man esteemed and beloved by all. Although very modest in deportment, he was a man of his own mind, and in matters of local interest, his opinion was sought and respected.

He and his wife were members of the M. P. Church, his wife joining at the early age of fourteen years. He died at his home in Cherry Tree, Pa., in 1890, and was buried in the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery, near town.

Ellen Boyer, wife of John Mahaffey, and only daughter of John and Mary Colgin Boyer, was born in Huntingdon county, Pa., in 1811, and moved with her parents to New Washington, Clear­field county, in 1821. She was the only white girl in Burnside township at that time, and was the idol of her par­ents and six brothers. In young girlhood she attended school at Birming­ham, Huntingdon county, riding horse-back to and from that place at the beginning and close of sessions. She was married at the age of twenty years and proved a capable, devoted help-mate, and a loving, indulgent mother. Her grand­children were dear to her heart, particularly the first ones, whom she loved to hold in her arms, singing as she rocked them to sleep. The older grandchildren can well remember these songs. One of them went like this:

“I had a little hen, and her name was Cra Creen,
She laid an egg every day worth a farthing —
She went to the woods through rain and hail —
And carried wood home again packed on her tail.
Cra Creen!  Cra Creen!  where is your nest?
Under the green ivy tree that I love best —
Where all the little birds sing for you and me.”

“You” being replaced by the name of the particular grandchild to whom she was singing.

Grandmother was a well preserved woman at eighty. Before they moved to Cherry Tree it was not an unusual occurrence for her to walk both ways, a good two miles. She was always active and industrious, and when not busy with household duties was either reading, sewing or knitting. She knit three counterpanes after she was eighty years old. Grandmother had black hair, slightly silvered, grey eyes and a good complexion, very erect and rather large; was jolly and a good companion. Was generous to the poor, and in her efforts to relieve suf­fer­ing, untiring. She and her husband celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1883. She outlived him seven years. In 1897 she died and was buried by his side. The children that blessed this union were:

  1. 1Mary Mahaffey,4 b. 1834, m. Jackson Patchin.

  2. 2Margaret Bennett Mehaffey,4 b. 1836, m. Porter Kinports.

  3. 3Creacy Ann Mahaffey,4 b. 1841, m. Rev. S. F. Crother.

  4. 4Nancy J. Mahaffey,4 b. 1843, d. 1867.

  5. 5William T. Mahaffey,4 b. 1848, m. first, J. J. Patchin, second, Sarah Edmonson.

  6. 6Elizabeth Ellen Mahaffey,4 b. 1851, d. 1854.

  7. 7Infant son.

19.  2THOMAS MAHAFFEY3 (William,2Thomas Mahaffey1)

Thomas, second son of William and Nancy Bennett Mahaffey, was born in Lycoming county in 1809. Moved with his brothers to Clearfield county in 1827. In 1833 he married Margaret, daugh­ter of Rev. David and Elizabeth Mitchell, who was born in 1810. He went West with his brother John, but returned and bought the Gallagher farm, on which was a double log house. This was the first one built in the village of New Washington. He built a log barn, and about 1848, built a new house. In 1855 his wife died, and in 1856 he married Harriet Woodford, who was born in 1826. He was a lumberman and farmer, and spent his last days in New Washington. He died in 1890 and was buried in Mt. Zion cemetery. Thomas and Margaret Mitchell Mahaffey had nine children:

  1. 1Elizabeth J. Mahaffey,4 b. 1834, m. John Commings.

  2. 2William Mahaffey,4 b. 1836, m. Mary M. Estricher

  3. 3Robert Mahaffey,4 b. 1838, m. Margaret E. Feath.

  4. 4Nancy Bennett Mahaffey,4 b. 1840. d. 1863.

  5. 5David Mahaffey,4 b. 1842, m. first, Ada Hall, second Elizabeth Lewmaster.

  6. 6John Mahaffey,4 b. 1843, m. Mary Jane Ake.

  7. 7Mary Margaret Mahaffey,4 b. 1846, m. Joseph R. McMurry.

  8. 8Martha Francis Mahaffey4.

  9. 9Sarah Samantha Mahaffey,4 b. 1851, m. George Barrett.

Four children were born to Thomas and Harriett Woodward Mahaffey, and were:

  1. 1Thomas Clayton Mahaffey,4 b. 1858, m. Susan Bowers.

  2. 2Florence May Mahaffey,4 b. 1860, d. 1884.

  3. 3Clarence Howard Mahaffey,4 b. 1860.

  4. 4Moses Edward Mahaffey,4 b. 1862, m. Blanche ______.

20.  3WILLIAM MAHAFFEY,3 (William,2, Thomas Mahaffey1)

William Mahaffey, Jr., third son of William and Nancy Bennett Mahaffey, was born May 6, 1811. On Sept. 2, 1845, he was mar­ried to Creacy Huller, who was born Nov. 12, 1813. William Jr., died Oct. 31, 1886. His wife survived him until Jan. 16, 1891. They lived in Columbus, [Muscogee Co.,] Georgia, and five children blessed their home:

21.  4JAMES MAHAFFEY,3 (William,2 Thomas Mahaffey,1)

James Mahaffey, fourth son of William and Nancy Bennett Mahaffey, was born June 21, 1813. He married September 13, 1838, Elizabeth Holter, who was born December 10, 1817. They were married at Howard, Centre county, Pa. Elizabeth Holter was a daughter of Jacob Holter, who emigrated from Maryland to Pennsylvania about 1760, and located near Antie­tam. James Mahaffey lived in Howard, Centre county, and was a great sufferer from rheumatism. He died June 23, 1883, followed by his wife August 26, 1906. The children of James and Elizabeth Holter Mahaffey were:

  1. 1Nancy Jane Mahaffey,4 b. 1839, m. John M. Ross of Clearfield county, Pa., d. 1874. Had nine children.

  2. 2Margaret Hughes Mahaffey,4 b. 1841, m. John R. Pantell, of Punxsutawney, [Jefferson Co,] Pa., d. Aug. 29, 1862, leaving a child one day old, who died in young womanhood.

  3. 3William P. Mahaffey,4 b. 1843, m. Susannah H. McGee.

  4. 4Mary Catharine Mahaffey,4 b. 1845, m. Jacob Z. Long.

  5. 5Susan Mahaffey,4 b. 1847, m. William Knoll. They had four children.

    All residing in Philadelphia, Pa.

23. [sic]  5ROBERT MAHAFFEY,3 (William Mahaffey,2 Thomas Mahaffey,1)

Robert Mahaffey, fifth son of William and Nancy Bennett Mahaffey, was born in Lycoming county, Pa., May 4, 1815. Moved with his family to Clearfield county in 1827. He with his brothers were engaged in lumbering and farming. At the age of twenty two he bought two tracts of land near the present site of Mahaffey, containing 417 acres. Here he cleared enough land for a good farm and operated the first water power saw-mill in that section of the country. He lived here for a quarter of a century, then moved across the river into town. His home was then the “Mecca” of raftsmen, and on more than one occa­sion he fed and slept one hundred watermen. About 1854 he entered into partnership with John M. Comings and they opened a store in New Washington. Later they opened another at Ostend. The partnership was continued for ten years. In 1868 a store-room was built and a large store opened in Mahaffey, the town that bears his name. Here he continued business until declining years compelled him to retire. He was a Presbyterian in faith, a Democrat in politics, and a man of high integrity and he was much respected by all. He died September 16, 1901. Robert Mahaffey was twice married. His first marriage occurred in 1841, with Mary McGee, daughter of James McGee, one of the earliest settlers of this section. To this marriage were three children born:—

  1. 1William S. Mahaffey,4 b. 1841, m. Martha McMurry.
  2. 2James Mahaffey,4 b. 1843, m. Samantha Thompson.
  3. 3Mary C. Mahaffey,4 b. 1845, m. John Byers.

On December 19, 1847, he entered into marriage (the second time) with Mary Catharine Johnston, of McGee’s Mills, who was born December 29, 1826. They lived for some time on the old homestead, “across the river,” but about 1870 moved to the fine old place in town. Aunt Kate, as she was familiarly called by all who knew her, was a wonderful character, and few wo­men of her day, or any day, could accomplish what she did. Many a night when those lumbermen were under the shelter of her home, or camped in the barn, she would spend the entire night baking biscuit. Houses of public entertainment were few, and far between in those days, and this house was never known to close its doors against the stranger seeking shelter. Small wonder then that “Aunt Kate and Uncle Rob” were known and loved, far and near. She was a faithful worker of the Methodist Church, of which she was a member. She sur­vived her husband several years, her mind remaining active and clear to the last. She died May 21, 1913. There were nine children born to this union:

  1. 1Robert Frank Mahaffey,4 b. 1848, m. Emma Cook.
  2. 2Emory M. Mahaffey,4 b. 1852, m. Mallie Thompson.
  3. 3S. Elizabeth Mahaffey,4 b. 1854, m. George Furgerson.
  4. 4Nancy J. Mahaffey,4 b. 1857, m. George M. Jose.
  5. 5George Thomas Mahaffey,4 b. June 13, 1860, drowned 1863.
  6. 6Alice M. Mahaffey,4 b. 1863, m. F. R. Patterson.
  7. 7Boyd Mahaffey,4 b. 1863, d. 1863. [twin of Alice M.]
  8. 8Harry B. Mahaffey,4 b. 1866, m. Gertrude Shipman.
  9. 9Elsie Mahaffey,4 b. 1869, m. Bert. Gallatley.

26.  2LINDSEY MAHAFFEY,3 (Moses Mahaffey,2 Thomas Mahaffey1)

Lindsey Mahaffey, eldest son of Moses and Mary Reynolds Mahaffey, was born in old Lycoming Township, Lycoming county, Pa., August 13, 1814. Was educated in New York State and at Williamsport Academy. Located in Newberry, [Lycoming Co.,] Pa., in 1836, and embarked in the mercantile business, at which he continued for twenty-four years, after which time he spent the balance of his life superintending his farms and real estate holdings in Newberry. Was one of the original stockholders of the West Branch National Bank, and for many years was the oldest director of that institution, a position he held for over forty years. In 1858 he was elected to the State Legislature, and served on several important committees. Was for many years president of Select Council of Williamsport, and for a number of years a member of Brandon Park Commission. Was a Whig, and later a staunch Republican, serving as a dele­gate to the Republican Convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln for President. Was first Revenue Collector for district compris­ing Centre, Clinton, Lycoming and Tioga counties. His favorite saying was “A person is only as old as he feels,” and the writer recalls that when 84 years of age, he chided the conductor of a street car for bringing the car to a full stop to let him off. He wanted to jump off while the car was moving. He was married twice. In the year 1849 to Sarah Jane Riley, who died in 1867. His second marriage occurred in 1886, when he married Mrs. Sarah Jane Straight. Lindsey and Sarah Jane Riley had born to them four children, who were:

  1. 1David Luttle Mahaffey,4 b. 1850, m. Alice E. Shaw.
  2. 2Delos L. Mahaffey,4 b. 1856, m. Mary Ann Lentz.
  3. 3Eleanor Jane Mahaffey,4 b. _____, m. Luther Muhr Otto.
  4. 4Boyd C. Mahaffey,4 b. 1853, d. 1872.

Lindsey Mahaffey died in 1897.

27.  2DAVID REYNOLDS MAHAFFEY,3 (Moses,2 Thomas Mahaffey1)

David Reynolds Mahaffey, third child of Moses and Mary Reynolds Mahaffey, was born November 8, 1816. Was married to Phoebe Thompson, February, 1844, who was born March 8, 1822. They lived in Newberry, [Lycoming Co.], Pa. He died March 2, 1892, his wife dying April 20, 1894. They had three children:

  1. 1James Lindsey Mahaffey,4 b. 1844, m. Sallie G. Hoylman.
  2. 2Mary Elizabeth Mahaffey,4 b. 1847, m. Joseph G. Hull.
  3. 3Margaret Matilda Mahaffey,4 b. 1850, m. George M. Youngman.

30.  6WILLIAM J. MAHAFFEY,3 (Moses Mahaffey,2 Thomas Mahaffey1)

William J., sixth child of Moses and Mary Reynolds Mahaffey, was born January 13, 1824, at the old Mahaffey homestead on Lycoming creek, where he lived his entire life. He first devoted his time to farming, but later, in 1860, succeeded his brother Lindsey in the mercantile business; still later he entered the oil fields at Bradford, Pa. Also became a contractor and built the majority of old wooden bridges in Lycoming county. In 1879 he became Superintendent of the Tidewater Pipe Line Co., his district extending from Bradford to Muncy, Pa. He was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Eldridge. On Decem­ber 22nd, 1868, he married Catherine Reguel Updegraff, who was born January 6, 1844. He died March 11, 1886, his wife and two children residing in Williamsport, [Lycoming Co.], Pa. His children were:

  1. 1Laura Valaria Mahaffey,4 b. 1870, m. O. Watson Bennett.
  2. 2Reynolds J. Mahaffey,4 b. 1877, m. Frone A. Myers.

Fourth Generation

36.  5EZRA RATHMELL,4 (Sarah Rathmell,3 John Mahaffey,2 Thomas1)

Ezra Rathmell, fifth child of Joseph and Sarah Mahaffey Rathmell, was born at Williamsport, [Lycoming Co.], Pa., 1832. Was married to Mary Louise Grafius, who was born _____, and died May 9, 1908.

At the early age of twelve years, Ezra Rathmell engaged in the work of canaling. In 1849 he was apprenticed to the tailor trade, under James Rothrock, which he followed until 1854, when he again returned to the canal work.

In 1864 he engaged in the log boom work, contracting to deliver logs to the different mills below his home city. Follow­ing this business until 1884. Previous to this date he had also erected two planing mills in Williamsport.

In 1896 he was appointed Street Commissioner under Mayor James Mansel, later was appointed Inspector of Sewers and Paving, which position he still holds.

During 1862-’63, Mr. Rathmell was active in Civil War service, employed in hauling supplies for the army between Washing­ton and Baltimore, on transport boats. In 1865 he also run [sic] ferry boats for the city, the bridge across the river being destroyed, and also for the Pennsylvania R. R.

Mr. Rathmell has resided from 1865 to the present time, in his beautiful home, Front street, Williamsport, Pa., situated on the banks of the Susquehanna river.

He also has been very active in the work of the “Mahaffey Clan,” acting as Vice President for the past three years; also on the committee of entertainment, and is now the oldest living descendant of the “Clan,” being at the present time 84 years of age; also has the distinction of being the oldest living male resident of Williamsport, living all these years in the city of his birth.

Ten [sic] children blessed the home of Ezra and Mary Grafius Rathmell, namely:

Mr. Rathmell has had born forty-four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

39.  8EMELINE E. RATHMELL,4 (Sarah Rathmell,3 John Mahaffey,2 Thomas1)

Emeline Rathmell, eighth child of Joseph and Sarah Mahaffey Rathmell, was born 1840. Married Samuel MacBeck June 17, 1862. He died June 24, 1875.

40.  10SARAH RATHMELL,4 (Sarah Rathmell,3 John Mahaffey,2 Thomas1)

Sarah Rathmell, the youngest child of Joseph and Sarah Mahaffey Rathmell, was born 1843, died April 21, 1914. She married Thomas Caldwell, and to them were born seven [sic] children:

[BULLET] Next page
[BULLET] Table of Contents

[HOME]