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JOHN H. LEFEVER when but a farmer boy heard the call for volunteers to assist in putting down the rebellion and he at once responded. Going from his home in Lancaster county, Pa., he enlisted in the 20th Pa. Cav., which afterward saw much active service in the Army of the Potomac. The stirring events of those days had much to do with moulding the character of men who participated in them, and they had their influence on the life of John H. Lefever, who was born Nov. 1, 1837, in Lampeter township, Lancaster county. His parents were John E. and Elizabeth (Martin) Lefever, who were both natives of that county, born in 1809 and 1806 respectively. John E. was the son of Adam and Kittie Lefever, who came to this country from Germany in 1800 and settled in Lampeter township on a farm, where they raised a family of nine children, all of whom are dead.
John E. Lefever, the father of John H. learned the trade of a weaver which he followed in connection with farming. He died at his home in Camargo, Lancaster county, in 1887. His wife died in 1874. They left a family of eight children, four of whom are living. The eldest of these, Martin, married Mary Winters, of Lancaster county. He was a soldier in the Civil war. Susan, a daughter, was the wife of Benjamin Shaub, of Belmont, where she lost her life in 1880 in a railroad accident, leaving a family. Harrison, who died some years ago in the West, was a soldier in the Civil war, being a member of the 22d Regiment, P. V. I. Daniel, another brother, is also dead. He distinguished himself as a soldier in the Civil war. Abram Lefever is a resident of Quarryville, married Miss Lizzie Groff and is the father of a family. Eliza Lefever, deceased, was the wife of Dan Mowner, of Eden; she left three children. Abner Lefever, who is now a resident of Lancaster City, married Miss Delia Hare, deceased; they had a family of five children.
John H. Lefever was the second child of John E. and Elizabeth (Martin) Lefever. Brief reference has already been made to his war record but it will be of further interest to add some of the important points in his career as a soldier. He served with valor in the battle of Gettysburg and at Springfield, but soon after these great events he was taken sick with typhoid fever and lay ill in the hospital thirteen months. He was honorably discharged at the Cumberland hospital in 1863 for physical disability. After the war he returned to the old home in Eden township. In 1869 he married Miss Susan B. Eshleman, of Providence township, the daughter of Elijah and Christiann Eshleman, one of the highly respected pioneer families of that section. Mrs. Lefever was born Nov. 29, 1849. After marriage they settled on a farm near Quarryville which Mr. Lefever had purchased. There they resided eight years and then moved to his father's farm in Strasburg township. Ten years later he purchased a lot from his father's estate in Camargo and there he has made his home while still retaining his farm near Quarryville.
Mr. Lefever and his estimable wife have prospered in many ways. The union has been blessed by eight children and seven grandchildren. Christiann, the eldest, was born in 1870, and is now the wife of Edward Barr, of Strasburg township. They have three children, John, Alma and Earl. Ulysses G. Lefever was born in 1873 and married Miss Mary Coble of Strasburg. They now reside at Christiana, where he is an electrical engineer. They have three children, John, Charles and Harry. A. Louie Lefever was born in 1875 and is now the wife of Chris Groff, a coach painter at Oak Bottom; they had one son, Paul, deceased. John H. Lefever, born in 1877, is now a soldier in the regular army. During the last three years he has seen active service in Cuba and in the Philippines. Sarah A. Lefever, born in 1879, is the wife of Christ Creswell, of Eden; they have one child, Clifford. Daniel M. Lefever, born in 1880, is married and a carpenter by trade. Ella K. Lefever was born in 1882 and is at home, unmarried. Howard B. Lefever, the youngest of the family, was born in Strasburg township in 1884 and educated in the Hawkesville school. He is manager of the home farm.
In business as in social, political and religious affairs, John H. Lefever has always been prominent as a leader. He is recognized as a conscientious, upright citizen, a good husband and a worthy father. Politically he is a strong and influential Republican. He is a member of the W. S. Bierly Post, No. 511, of Quarryville. As one of the old veterans he is highly respected. (Source: Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, Pa., Beers, 1903, pp. 251-2.)