George Washington Sheaffer

  General Notes:

Civil War Vet. 79th PA Volunteers

Dona Butler (ButlerDona@aol.com) posted the following at rootsweb.com in May 2003:
"I am looking for information on George Washington Sheaffer. He was born in Lancaster Co. about 1834 and married second wife Elvira RANNELS Oct. 22, 1867; first wife was Annie DARROW? George & Elvira had the following children: Mary (married to I.N. Eaby); Levi, Samuel, Edwin, Katie, Albert, Harry, Amos, & William. He died 27 Feb 1897. Am interested in finding out who his parents were. According to his obit., he had 3 sisters, Julia HAFER, Katie HOYER, and Maggie HOOVER. He lived around the New Holland area and in Lancaster. Any help will be appreciated." (see notes on Elivra Rannels)

The 1860 Federal Census for Earl Township, Lancaster County, Pa. page 97 (New Holland Post Office) records George Sheaffer, shoemaker, unmarried. This is probably the correct George Sheaffer in that Elvira Rannels, who he marries in 1867, has parents that are recorded living in New Holland in 1870 and the 1880 census. Both census list the occupation for George as "shoemaker". It is also of interest that the 1860 census records George living in the household of James (48-Master Shoemaker) and Hannah (48) Darrow with children Susan (23), Mary (18), Emma (14), Ella (11), and Susan (82) Darrow. The next census page carry-over has Marcus (9) and John (7) Darrow then Mary (18) and George (24) Sheaffer. The 1850 Federal Census for New Holland, Lancaster Co., PA page 195 records James (38-shoemaker) and Hannah (38) Darragh and family: William S. (15), Susanna (13), Margaret (11), Mary (9), Catherine (7), Emma (5), and Ellen (2). Both census lists William Row, shoemaker, living in the household.
The 1870 Federal Census for New Holland/Earl Township, Lancaster Co., Pa. records the widow Hannah Darrow (57) with children Susan E. (33), Mary A. (29), Emma M. (24), and John (17). William Row (61) is still in the household. Nearby is Elderia Rannels living in the household of her parents, Levi and Mary Rannels. George is no where to be found. By 1880, the only Darrow listed in the New Holland Census is John H. Darrah (27-harness maker) with wife Mina (26), and daughter Mary W. (3) [The 1900 census for New Holland, Lancaster Co., Pa. records John (47) and Belmina (46) Darrow with children Ella (18), Karl (15), and George (13).

George married Elvira Rannels, daughter of Levi Rannels and Mary Ann Pierce, on 22 Oct 1867 in Lancaster Co., PA. (Elvira Rannels was born on 9 Apr 1844 in New Holland, Lancaster Co., PA., christened on 21 Mar 1852 in Records Of Trinity Lutheran Church, Reading, Berks Co., PA, died on 23 Mar 1913 in Lancaster City, Lancaster Co., PA and was buried on 27 Mar 1913 in Greenwood Cemetery, Lancaster City, Lancaster County, PA.) The cause of her death was Cerebral Thrombi.