Husband "Sheriff" John Guffey 1 2 3
Born: 26 Feb 1833 - near Madison, Sewickley Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA 1
Christened:
Died: 13 Sep 1900 4
Buried: - West Newton, South Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA
Father: Alexander Guffey (1804-1863) 5
Mother: Jane Campbell (1807-1861) 1
Marriage: 9 Jan 1862 4
Other Spouse: Barbaretta Pierce ( -1859) 6 - 1 Apr 1858 6
• Note: This may be the same person as : John Guffey.
Wife Barbaretta Hough 2 3 4
Born:
Christened:
Died: 9 Mar 1906 4
Buried: - West Newton, South Huntingdon Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA
Father: Paul Hough (1809-1879) 4 7 8
Mother: Martha Cook ( - ) 7 8
Children
1 F Ida V. Guffey 4
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2 M Alexander S. Guffey 2 4
Born: 6 Feb 1867 - Sewickley Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA 2
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3 M Joseph F. Guffey 2 4
Born: 29 Dec 1871 - Sewickley Twp, Westmoreland Co, PA 2
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4 F Mary Emma Guffey 3 4
Born: - Guffey Station, Westmoreland Co, PA
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Spouse: Carroll Miller (1875- ) 3 4
Marr: 28 Oct 1902 - Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co, PA 3
5 F Pauletta Guffey 4
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General Notes: Husband - "Sheriff" John Guffey
He was born near Madison, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, his family later moving to Guffey Station. From the time he attained his majority he took a prominent part in the history and development of Westmoreland County. He was born and bred a Presbyterian and a Democrat, and a life-long loyalty to these tenets was one of his chief characteristics.
He was by nature a leader of men and a man of unusually strong personality. Very early in life he became a leader in the Democratic party, and retained and increased his leadership even until the day of his death. In early life he was engaged in the coal and lumber business in Westmoreland County, working coal lands which he owned in his native county. He was the first of his family to engage in the oil business, being an active factor in the early development of the original “oil region” in Western Pennsylvania. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of Westmoreland County, which position he filled with a marked executive ability from January 1, 1875, to the close of 1877. During the ever-memorable railroad riots of 1877 he was one of the strongest and most fearless officers in the state. At that time he showed his capability for leadership and his tact in dealing with excited foreigners and in keeping down the turbulent element which was then acting without reason. His heroic treatment of the situation doubtless saved the county from the destruction of property worth thousands of dollars, and his actions were favorably commented on in all parts of the state. John F. Hartranft was then governor of Pennsylvania, and in one of his public messages said, “If I had about four sheriffs like the sheriff of Westmoreland County, we would have no need of militia.” In addition to the excitement of his term of office caused by the railroad strike of ‘77, Sheriff Guffey went through in a most fearless manner the period covered by the “Molly Maguire” troubles, and succeeded not only in breaking up this lawless organization by convicting some of them, but also in driving some of their leaders out of the country.
After leaving the sheriff’s office he again engaged in the coal business, and also developed stone quarries which he owned at different points. In 1890 the Democratic party of Westmoreland, Indiana and Armstrong counties tendered him the nomination for congress from that district, but he declined it because of his extensive business interests. In 1891 he disposed of most of his holdings in Westmoreland County and moved to Pittsburgh, where he became engaged in the production of coal, oil and gas. This work extended over western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and West Virginia, and brought him in contact with the leading men of these sections. A few years before his death he disposed of these enterprises largely, and thereafter lived practically a retired life.
There were but few if any men in Pennsylvania who were better known than he. Not only was this the fact in Westmoreland and adjoining counties, but also throughout the state. In the coal, oil and gas business, he had hosts of friends in all sections, and in politics his admirers were legion, even in the opposing party. A strong characteristic of his life was his devotion to his friends and his readiness to assist them in times of need. He was strong in his likes and dislikes, and bitter in his denunciations of what he thought to be wrong. Though interested largely in corporate wealth and most fearless in its protection, he espoused with equal boldness and enthusiasm the cause of the miner or other laboring man, if he thought him unjustly burdened or imposed on, and in this direction he was indeed a host in himself. Nor did he care in entering a contest, be it political or otherwise, whether the side he took was the popular one or not. His strong arm was never lowered by popular clamor against him. He could head a weak cause, and by his innate leadership his energy and enthusiasm could often bring victory from apparently hopeless defeat. He may not always have been right in making up his opinions and in drawing his conclusions of a contest, but those who knew him best and even those who admired him least, conceded the absolute honesty of his convictions, and credited him at all times with thinking himself in the right in every contest in which he engaged. His personality and leadership were so great that with a military training he could have headed an army and inspired an impetuous charge, as did Sheridan at the battle of Winchester. Nor was there ever any doubt on which side of a public question or contest his energies were enlisted. In such matters he was usually outspoken and absolutely fearless. He was often called on to examine into and settle strikes, for each party trusted to the honesty of his decision, and well did the opposing party realize the tornado of enthusiasm which his striking individuality could enlist even in a weak cause. He was thoroughly a commoner, caring nothing for wealth, distinction or popular opinion. Political bonds which fetter most public men were as gossamer threads to him when aroused by opposition, even in his own party. [HWC 1906 III, 338]
General Notes: Wife - Barbaretta Hough
She was descended from Judge Edward Cook, generally known as “Colonel,” who was holding court at Hannastown when it was burned by the Indians, and was one of the most prominent men in Westmoreland County's early history.