Joseph West Lafferty
Joseph West Lafferty was born in Connelsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1809. In the year 1814 his parents emigrated to Ohio, settled on a farm three miles east of West Union and his father took up the business of wool carding and carried it on for more than thirty years.
From his majority until 1848, he was a Democrat. From November 15, 1834. until December 15, 1841, he was the postmaster at West Union. In 1848, he supported Van Buren on the Free Soil ticket. When the Republican party was organized in 1856, he identified himself with that and supported it until his death. He was an ardent supporter of the war for the Umon and two of his sons were in the service.
When the Internal Revenue Act went into effect in 1862, Mr. Lafferty was appointed a Deputy Assessor for his countv and served as such for several years. He took great interest in the advancement of the community in which he lived and served on the Board of Education for a num ber of years. He was a member of the Board when the separate districts were united and a schoolhouse for graded schools built. There was bitter opposition to the new districts and -house, but Mr. Lafferty and others stood for the advanced ideas and they prevailed.
In March, 1839. ne was married to Elizabeth Burwell. daughter of Nicholas Burwell, who survived him. His children were Sarah Rebecca, wife of Smith Grimes of Mineral Springs; Dr. Nelson B. Lafferty, of Hillsboro, Charles L. Lafferty, of Pittsburg, Penn., and Joseph and Julia E. Lafferty, of West Union. Mr. Lafferty was a student of men and affairs. He was a good reader and a careful thinker. He had pronounced views on all public questions and his views were all made and expressed after mature deliberation. It was always agreeable and profitable to listen to his discussion of any subject, because he would not express his views until after much study and after careful deliberation. His views were advanced on all subjects and they were earnest and conscientious. All evil and wrong was abhorrent to him. The emotions of his soul were always generous.
He had the dignity and air of a Chesterfield and it was inborn in him. He alwavs wore a silk hat and wore a standing collar with stock. He was neat and careful of his personal appearance; he had a pleasing address and was always courteous to every one he met. No more of a gentleman in his manners and address could be found anywhere. He was a most useful and valuable citizen, always leading public opinion on all matters of public concern, general or local.
He died August 27, 1867. respected by all who knew him.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900