Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1912


Neff Family Biography

The earliest record of this family is in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They were evidently of Swiss ancestry, Two brothers are mentioned in early records. Dr. Haus Henry Neff was the first regular practicing physician in Lancaster county, and in 1717 he erected a saw and grist mill at the mouth of Boring Mill Run, in Lancaster township, and in 1722 he received a patent for three hundred acres of land on the west side of the Conestoga. In 1838 Dr. Neff and his wife Franca sold one hundred and fifty acres, giving the homestead farm, saw and oil mill, to his son Abraham.

(I) Francis Neff, a Swiss Mennonite, was a brother of Dr. Haus Henry Neff. He settled about a mile further down the creek, below his brother's location, in 1717, and took up two hundred and twenty-five acres below Ritner's Bridge, partly in Lancaster and partly in Lampeter township. He built a grist and saw mill in 1728, the water power of which is now owned by the city of Lancaster. He died intestate in the year 1740, leaving sons Francis, Henry, Daniel, and John.

(II) Daniel, son of Francis Neff, was a farmer of Lancaster county, married, and among his children was a son Henry.

(III) Henry, son of Daniel Neff, was a farmer of Lancaster county, married a Miss Oberholtzer. Children: John, of whom further; Daniel, David, Jacob, Henry, and a daughter.

(IV) John, son of Henry Neff, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was a resident of the Manor of Little Washington in that county, and of York county, Pennsylvania. He married (first) a daughter of Major Williams, of York county, Pennsylvania, (second) unknown. Children by first wife: 1. Eliza, married a Griffin. 2. Mary, died unmarried. 3. John, married, moved to the state of Indiana, where he died leaving: James; Dr. John, a physician of Indianapolis, Indiana; Joseph; Ella, married a Maddox. 4. Dr. George W., of whom further.

(V) Dr. George W. Neff, son of John Neff, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, December 8, 1811, died at Masontown, August 18, 1874. He was taken by his Grandfather Williams after the early death of his mother, who educated and reared him as his own. Grandfather Williams resided in York county, and the lad's early education was obtained in the public schools in that county. Choosing medicine as his profession, he read with a local physician, Dr. Bittner, of Manor, later entering Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He left before securing his degree. About 1832 he was employed by Dr. Campbell, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in his drug store. He had previously located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but only remained there a short time. After two years in practice in Uniontown as a physician and druggist Dr. Neff moved to Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he practiced two years, then returned to Fayette county, settling at Masontown in 1836, where he formed a partnership with Dr. David B. Rhoads, who later became his father-in-law. This partnership existed until the death of Dr. Rhoads, Dr. Neff continuing practice alone until his death. He became well known as a skillful practitioner of medicine, and also acquired prominence as a surgeon. He was a man of generous impulse, ever ready to respond to calls for professional aid, often without hope of fee or reward. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a Whig and Republican. He married Mary Ann, born July 23, 1820, died August 13, 1889, daughter of Dr. David B. Rhoads, an old-time popular physician of Allegheny and Fayette counties, son of Conrad Rhoads. Dr. Rhoads was born November 5, 1793, died March 8, 1841. He married, April 3, 1817, Harriet E. Tarr, who died in 1859, daughter of Francis Tarr, of a prominent Westmoreland county family. Children of Dr. George W. and Mary Ann Neff: 1. Mary H., married William H. Schroyer; children; Ellsworth, Harriet, Frederick and Daisy. 2. Dr. George W. (2), of whom further. 3. William D., died unmarried. 4. Averella V., died unmarried. 5. John C., secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Connellsville Central Coke Company, and a coke producer. 6. Ida, married William G. Sharpneek; no issue. 7. Harry G., married Laura Derth; children: Ida, Elizabeth and George.

Dr. Neff was among the earliest and most fearless of Abolitionists of Fayette county. He encountered no little opposition and personal danger in upholding the cause of the oppressed slave, but he had the courage of his convictions and cared little for the opposition or threats of his opponents.

(VI) Dr. George W. (2) Neff, son of Dr. George W. (1) and Mary Ann (Rhoads) Neff, was born in Masontown, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1845. His early and general education was received in the public schools of Masontown, and later he attended Waynesburg College, Pennsylvania. After his decision to follow the profession of his father, he attended the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, where he was graduated M.D. with high honors in the class of 1870. Soon after taking up his practice with his father in Masontown the latter was compelled by illness to retire from active life. Dr. Neff then assumed full charge of his father's business and has since built up a large and extensive practice of his own in Masontown and vicinity, where he is well and highly regarded as physician and citizen. His abilities have been recognized in many ways, and he holds several positions of honor and trust in the medical world. At present he is a member of the board of trustees of the Cottage State Hospital at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, an appointment he received from General Beaver. He also is examining physician for the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York, the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and the Pittsburgh Life Insurance Company. He has been known as a lifelong Republican, and during the sessions of 1887 and 1889 he ably represented Fayette county in the Pennsylvania legislature, serving on the committees on appropriations, education, public health and sanitation. In fraternal life he is past master of Valley Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a prominent and influential member of the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania and the Fayette County Medical Society.

Not only has he been conspicuous in political and professional life, but he has a military record which embraces service both at home and in our Pacific possessions, the Philippines. His military career began in 1887 when he was recommended by the late Colonel A. L. Hawkins for a position on the staff of the Tenth Regiment National Guard of Pennsylvania, as first lieutenant and assistant surgeon. When the governor summoned the regiment to quell the riots at Morewood in 1891, he received both a military and professional promotion with the rank of major and surgeon, and in this capacity served during the Homestead riots. On May 5, 1898, when the conditions in the Philippine Islands were becoming serious, Major Neff was mustered into the volunteer service, retaining his former rank, and served with distinction through the Spanish-American war. During the insurgent campaign he was in charge of the dressing station of the Second Division, commanded by General Arthur McArthur, of the Eighth Army Corps, a position of importance and responsibility in the advance on Malolas, the insurgent capital. When the regiment was in garrison at Cavite he was appointed district surgeon of the military district of Cavite, which included work among the natives as well as those in the service.

Dr. Neff and wife are both followers of the faith of John Wesley. Major Neff 's career is remarkable in many respects. He is a man of high culture and education, well informed on all subjects, however lofty the topic, an exceptionally fine surgeon and physician; an influential fraternal figure; prominent in military life; in morals beyond reproach and a solid, substantial, respected member of the Masontown community. He married, November 14, 1872, Loretta P., daughter of Elias and Hannah M. Parshall. Children: 1. Robley P. born January 21, 1874, died August 6, 1874. 2. Hannah M., born February 12, 1875; married Norman Powell; children: Hannah M., George, Frances M. 3. Mary A., born January 5, 1877; married Willard O. White, of Rome, New York; child; Mary. 4. Loretta P., born November 11, 1879: married Chester M. Lingle, of Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania; children: Loretta, Gertrude, Carolyn. 5. Elizabeth P., born March 21, 1882; married Harold B. Stephens, of Rome, New York; children: Elizabeth, George, Esther H.


Source: Genealogical and Personal History of Fayette County, John W. Jordan, Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1912.





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