[p. 955] owner of a farm of 115 acres in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is a prosperous farmer and well known resident of that township, where he has resided for many years. He was born in Coitsville Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, October 25, 1849, and a son of William and Mary (Davidson) Shehy.
Roger Shehy, paternal grandfather of John W., was born in Ireland and came to America shortly after the close of the Revolutionary struggle. He first located in Maryland, and then came west to Mahoning County, Ohio, where he was one of the earliest pioneer settlers. He married Ellen Doran, whose brother, Jeremiah Doran, was a soldier of the War of 1812.
William Shehy was born in Coitsville Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and lived there all his life, being engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was quite a prominent man in the local affairs of his time, and was frequently called upon to serve in official positions of trust in his township. He died at the age of seventy-five years. He and his wife were members of the Roman Catholic Church. He was united in marriage with Mary Davidson, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of John Davidson, who was a soldier of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
John W. Shehy was reared to manhood in Coitsville Township and received a good common school education. He then turned his attention to farming and at an early date moved to Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he purchased a fine farm of 115 acres. He is a man of untiring energy and a good manager, and during his long and active business career has accumulated a handsome competency. He is an aggressive and public-spirited man, and has ever been active in promoting the interests of his home community and developing its resources.
January 9, 1877, Mr. Shehy was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Holliday, who was born in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, June 13, 1859, and is a daughter of William and Mary A. (Dorsey) Holliday, her father being a native of England and her mother of Ireland. Her paternal grandfather was an officer in the British army, and participated in the Battle of Waterloo. He was wounded in that engagement and thereafter received a pension from the British Government. William Holliday and his wife emigrated to America, and about the year 1854 settled in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
John W. and Elizabeth Shehy are parents of five children: Thomas F., of Lowellville, Ohio; William B., of Pulaski Township; Mary V.; Anna G., and Elizabeth H. Religiously, they are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Villa Maria. In political affiliation Mr. Shehy is a Republican, and gives earnest support to the principles of that party.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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