My Genealogy Hound

LEONARD SHEAFF. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Sheaff and his estimable companion have experienced the vicissitudes necessary to secure a good home and rear a family as worthy parents desire, they have found much pleasure in life, and probably no couple of their years enjoy existence more than they. Although both have passed the limit of years which are promised to mankind, they still enjoy good health and have the happy dispositions and industrious habits which make life a blessing not only to themselves but to those about them. Their home, which is situated about a quarter of a mile from the city limits of Springfield, is one of the pleasantest abodes which can be found in this section of the State. The farm comprises one hundred and eight acres of well-developed land and the improvements upon it include all necessary and adequate buildings, the residence being a fine brick structure.

The gentleman of whom we write was born in Dauphin Township, Lancaster County, Pa., February 9, 1810. His father, Joseph Sheaff, was born and reared in the same county, where he followed the trade of a hatter. He died in 1826 upon a farm which he had purchased in Dauphin Township. His widow, whose maiden name was Mary Krouse and who was a native of the same county, came to Ohio after his death and breathed her last at the home of her son John. The parental family consisted of eleven children — Elizabeth, John, Barney, Catherine, Joseph, George, Leonard, Barbara Polly, Agnes and Nancy. All but George were reared to years of maturity.

The father of our subject was poor, and with a large family to support it was necessary that his children should begin the labors of life at an early age. Young Leonard, therefore, was but ten years old when he begun work, in various ways assisting his father in the support of the family. After the death of the father he went to Cayuga County, N. Y., where he was employed upon a farm. During the first year, he received for his services $10 per month, his wages afterward being advanced to $12. He remained in that county until 1840, during the latter part of the time farming on shares. He then determined to seek a home farther West, and in November placed his earthly possession, which included a wife, five children, and some household goods, into a wagon. They had a good team of horses and fourteen days after bidding adieu to their Eastern home reached Clark County, Ohio.

In the following spring, Mr. Sheaff rented the farm upon which he now resides and removed his family into a log house which stood upon it. After having rented the estate nine years, he purchased it, paying $37 per acre, and afterward making various improvements, among them being the erection of a dwelling to take the place of the log house in which they had lived nearly twenty years. In all the labors of life, Mrs. Sheaff has proved herself a valuable helpmate and loving companion while the joys of life have been enhanced by her appreciation. She was born in Onieda County, N. Y., March 11, 1811, and bore the maiden name of Sarah Champney. She became the wife of Mr. Sheaff February 28, 1833, and they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary a few years since, when children and friends gathered to do honor to their long and happy wedded life. Their family consists of four living children — Mary, Caroline, George W., and James M.; they have been called upon to part with the third daughter— Myra. The oldest daughter is the wife of Jeptha Quick, and lives in Richland County, Ill.; Caroline is with her parents at home; the two sons reside in this county. The deceased daughter was the wife of Charles Everett and died in Springfield when twenty-two years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sheaff are regular attendants of the Baptist Church, although they are not identified with the organization, as both believe in universal salvation for all mankind.

Mrs. Sheaff is a daughter of Nathaniel F. Champney, a native of the old Bay State, who became a pioneer settler in Oneida County, N. Y. After residing at Rome a few years, he removed to Bennington, Vt., when his daughter was about a year old. In 1826, he returned to the Empire State, journeying by teams to Troy thence on the Erie Canal to Lake Cayuga, on which he completed his journey to the vicinity in which he settled in Cayuga County. There he spent the remainder of his life, his wife also dying in that county. She had been known in her girlhood as Miss Lydia Kilbourn, and like her husband was a native of the old Bay State.

A portrait of Mr. Sheaff accompanies this personal sketch.

*Portrait was included in the original printed volume.