[p. 543] senior member
of the important lumber firm of Sheriff &
Shields, is one of New Bedford's leading
business men. He was born October 31,
1829, in Pulaski Township, Lawrence
County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of
William and Jane (Block) Sheriff.
The father of Mr. Sheriff was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The mother was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, where her father died and she came to what is now Pulaski Township with her mother and brothers. William Sheriff was a son of John Sheriff, who was born in Ireland, and his wife, Martha (Neal) Sheriff, who was born in Scotland. William Sheriff died in Pulaski Township in 1849. He was a Whig in politics and was a man esteemed above his fellows. He followed milling, lumbering and farming as occupations.
Many years ago the educational opportunities afforded children in Pulaski Township were but meager, but Joseph P. Sheriff went to school through boyhood whenever he could be spared from the home industries. For a half century he has been associated with sawmill and lumber interests, during the larger part of this time being in business for himself. For three years he was concerned in the operating of a sawmill in Williamson County, Illinois, but with that exception his business has been carried on in Pulaski Township, in New Bedford and vicinity. He has taken an active part in public affairs and progressive movements which have benefited his community. Before New Bedford was organized as an incorporated borough he served as burgess and he has also been road supervisor and borough school director, and for fourteen years served as director of the poor for Pulaski Township. In politics he is a Republican.
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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