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Belgians in the Civil War

Emigrants arrival

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BELGIANS IN AMERICA:    Biographies of Belgian settlers  

Charles P. B. Jefferys : His father, the Hon. Peter Jefferys, a lieutenant-colonel in the English Army, was born in the island of Nevis, British West Indies, where he was an extensive planter and landed proprietor. Peter Jefferys studied at the University of Edinburgh, where he was graduated a physician, returning to the West Indies at the completion of his professional studies. He was Lieutenant-Governor of the island; his official title being, " President of the Council of Nevis." Colonel Jefferys had four. One of these, was born in 1831 at Hal in Belgium. Charles P. B. Jefferys pursued his early studies in Antwerp, later entering the University of Liège where he took the course in Mining Engineering, at the same time taking a liberal course in the Classics. At the early age of eighteen years he came to America, where his father had many friends and considerable property. After some time spent in travel, Charles P. B. Jefferys entered upon his professional career as civil engineer on the Pennsylvania Rail. road, where he held several positions in the engineer corps. Mr. Jefferys also built the Sand-patch tunnel on the line of tile Pittsburg & Conneilsville Railroad, which was one of tile important railroad constructions of that period.
In 1857 he became connected with the Missouri Pacific Railroad which he located from the Lainine River west, as principal assistant engineer. His chief was the distinguished civil engineer, Edward Miller. In 1857 Charles P. B. Jefferys married his chief's eldest daughter, Miss Elizabeth Miller, a member of one of the oldest and best families in Philadelphia, and went abroad for a time. There were born to them eight children, five sons and three daughters, two of the daughters were born in Europe.

Source : Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Bucks County, Penna. Buffalo: Biographical Pub. Co., 1899, 549  pgs.

Note : on board  Victoria : From Antwerp to New York, May 19, 1848