John Riley Mehaffey
John Riley Mehaffey, of West Union, was born March 6, 1824, near Belfast, Highland County, Ohio, son of William and Esther (Ellison) Mehaffey. The father of our subject was born December 12, 1797, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. On February 9, 1820, he married Esther Ellison, daughter of Arthur Ellison, of Gift Ridge. She was born July 8, 1801, and died February 2, 1885. William Mehaffey came with his parents from Pennsylvania to Adams County in 1799. They settled at Hills Fork on the farm now occupied by Frank Williams. John Mehaffey, grandfather of our subject, was a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. His wife was Rachel Gordon, of the same place. He was born August 31, 1757. Rachel Gordon was born August 30, 1763. John Mehaffey died in Highland County, August 20, 1848, and is buried in Ebenezer Cemetery near Mowrystown. Rachel, his wife, died May 30, 1844. John Mehaffey was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. His record as such will be found in the Revolutionary War article in this work, entitled "Revolutionary Soldiers." He served four years as a scout and Government spy among the Indians on the frontier in Western Pennsylvania and along the Ohio River. He was a personal friend of General Anthony Wayne and was detailed by him on many perilous and important undertakings. In the War of 1812, being too old to enlist, he went as a substitute for William Pilson. He was a Private in Lieut. Banet Ristine's Company, Col. Edwards' Regiment, First Ohio Militia. He enlisted July 29, 1813. and served until August 22. 1813. He was also a Private in Captain Robert Morrison's Company of Keys' Regiment, Ohio Militia. In this organization he served as a substitute for William McIntire until September 8, 1813. He took part in the campaign at Lower Sandusky. He served as a guard for the wagon train in the expedition to Upper Sandusky and was delayed on duty six weeks after the principal would have been discharged from service.
The children of John and Rachel (Gordon) Mehaffey are Robert, who died in Vigo County. Illinois; Joseph, who died in Peoria. lll.; Samuel, who died in Wapello, Iowa; William, father of our subject; John, who died in Highland County, Ohio; James, who died at Unity, Ohio; Nain, who died at Peoria, Illinois; Nancy, who married a Sterling, of Illinois, and Jane, who married Hiram Silcott, of Peoria, Illinois. Two sons and daughters died young.
Our subject lived in Highland County, Ohio, until 1830. when he removed with his parents to Hills Fork. He attended school under (he teaching of the Hon. John T. Wilson, in Highland County, at the age of five years (in 1829). He resided on the farm at Hills Fork from 1830 until 1844. when he began teaching, which occupation he followed until 1872. On February 9, 1860, he was married to Mary L. Saylor, daughter of Jacob Saylor, who was a veteran in the War of 1812, being a member of the Seventeenth Regulars, serving under General Scott at Lundy's Lane. The children of John Riley and Mary L. Mehaffey are Ann Eliza, wife of W. J. Shuster; Esther Elizabeth; Laura Ella, wife of John S. Patton; Mary Bell and William Saylor, who live on the farm.
Mr. Mehaffey enlisted in Company I, 141st O. V. I., and was made a Sergeant. He served five months, stationed at Barboursville, West Virginia. He lived on his farm until 1893, when he removed to West Union. He is a member of the regular Baptist Church at West Union, becoming such at the organization of that church, April, 1840. He and Mrs. Mosier, his sister, are the only two living of the original number. He served as Township Clerk two terms; as Township Trustee for several years, and as Justice of the Peace for five terms, 1861 to 1870 and 1878 to 1884, in Liberty Township. Mr. Mehaffey is regarded as a model citizen, sober, honest and industrious, and in public affairs is a man above the average in judgment. The foregoing sketch was written, submitted to Mr. Mehaffey, and approved as to the facts. He died on the twentieth of February, 1900, of a stroke of paralysis. He believed that every duty in life should be well done and lived up to that principle. As a result he has left a memory of a life well spent.
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