My Genealogy Hound

JEREMIAH TAWNEY, farmer, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa. June 30, 1836, and there learned the trade of a stone mason. His father, Adam Tawney, was also a native of Pennsylvania and was brought up to black-smithing, which trade he followed until his death in 1854. Adam married Elizabeth, daughter of John Rudolf, of German descent. John Rudolf was a pioneer of Westmoreland county, was the keeper of the fort in that territory during the Indian troubles, and followed the vocation of a farmer during the intervals of peace. To the marriage of Adam and Elizabeth Tawney were born seven children, Jeremiah being the sixth; he and his brother, David M., are now the only survivors of the family — the latter residing still on the old homestead in Pennsylvania.

Jeremiah Tawney, responding to the call to arms in defence of the Union, volunteered in Company F, Eleventh Pennsylvania infantry, was mustered in at Harrisburg, October 14, 1861, and assigned to the army of the Potomac. He took part in twenty-six battles in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, taking an active part in that of Gettysburg and being present also at the surrender of Gen. Lee. At Fredericksburg he was shot through the right ear and also received a gun-shot wound in the top of the head. His gallantry in action and his attention to his military duties in general raised him to the rank of second lieutenant, which position he held until mustered out. At the close of the war his command marched from Richmond to Washington and took part in the grand review, and thence went to Harrisburg, Pa., where he received an honorable discharge. After his return home he pursued his regular trade, and in 1867 married Miss Melissa, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Snow, both natives of Pennsylvania. Samuel Snow is a cooper by trade, is also a farmer, and is still living in his native state. To the union of Jeremiah Tawney and wife have been born six children, named as follows — Harry A., Lettie M., Alice M., Delia M., Nannie E. and Sarah Maud.

February 4, 1881, found Mr. Tawney and his family in Nebraska, with his homestead in section 26, township 12, range 14, he having purchased a quarter section, of which twelve acres had been broken. He has now a comfortable frame dwelling, one hundred and forty acres of land under cultivation and fenced in, and an orchard of one hundred and fifty apple trees, all the result of his own industry and enterprise, as he had but little capital when he settled here. He had become very popular in his neighborhood and has been twice elected justice of the peace, but refused to qualify for the second term; he has also served two terms as road overseer and five years as school director. While in Pennsylvania he was for five years a captain in the National Guards, his company having been named the Colter Guards, in honor of Gen. Colter, who had presented it with a fine stand of colors. In religion, Mr. Tawney is a, Presbyterian, to which church he and his family belong and in which he has been a deacon over five years. He is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Farmers’ Alliance. Politically he is a republican.