Sheafer, Michael -b.1803 Pa.- son of George Sheafer
found in a book on HeritageQuest online – not in my line as far as I know
Title: Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania: containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers.
Authors: Anonymous
City of Publication: Chambersburg, Pa.
Publisher: J.M. Runk
Date: 1896
Page Count: 1223
Notes: "In the compilation of the biographies we were ably assisted by William H. Egle ... A.S. Dudley ... Harry I. Huber ... R.H. Schively."
Includes index.
ports. ;
Reel/Fiche Number: Genealogy & local history; LH 975
Subject Headings: Dauphin County (Pa.) -- Biography.
Pennsylvania -- Dauphin County
Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County - found on pages 227 & 228
Sheafer, Michael, son of George Sheafer, was born December 1, 1803, at Halifax, Dauphin county, Pa. For some years he resided in Harrisburg, Pa., and when quite a young man he married Susan Cloud, of Lancaster county, and made his home in that county a few years. They has issue: Adaline, married Rev. C.A. Wyeth; Henry J.; John M., a civil engineer, who died at Selma, Alabama, August 11, 1871; Mary L., married Theodore D. Irish; Harriet Matilda, married Joseph Davidson; Lucetta, died June 9, 1837; Anne Eliza, married John Thompson; George T., died November 4, 1867, at Ashland; and Benjamin Ingersoll. In 1831-32 the Lykens Valley Coal Company was organized, and commenced operations at what was then called “Bear Gap” (now Wiconisco). The company built a large log frame house, and Michael Sheafer moved into it for the purpose of boarding the workmen and entertaining the members of the company. At that time the Upper End (now Lykens, Wiconisco and Williamstown) was one vast wilderness, with a few log huts scattered around. He resided in this place up to the date of his death, November 30, 1849, taking an active part in the development of the coal region. He was one of the contractors in the building of the Lykens Valley railroad, also in the building of the aqueduct and other improvements at the mouth of the Wiconisco canal feeder. After the first railroad was built from the Gap to Millersburg, he had the contract for the delivery of the coal, floating it across the river at Mount Patrick on the Pennsylvania canal. His wife, Susan Sheafer, who was a most estimable Christian woman, died at Harrisburg, Pa., on the 17th of February, 1876. The remains of both rest in Kalmia cemetery, Harrisburg, Pa.