John W.(Black Jack) Mehaffy was the son of David and Hannah Wright Mehaffy. He married Elizabeth Winslow on October 26, 1861 in Ireland. They came to the United States in 1872 with six small children. Later they added three more children to the family after arriving in Iowa. Elizabeth died at the age of 29. John then married Elizabeth Hutchinson Mehaffy, the widow of William Mahaffy. No children were born to the second marriage

Source: Biographical Review of Des Moines County, Iowa, 1905 edition pages 746-747

John Mehaffy

Prominent in business circles, and equally popular in social life, John Mehaffy, who is a native son of the Emerald Isle, wee deserves representation in this volume. His parents, David and Hannah(Wright)Mehaffy, were Scotch-Irish, and raised a large family. In order that his sons might have better advantages the father brought them to America, where his hopes were fully realized.

John Mehaffy was born in County Monoghan, Ireland, May 28, 1840, and attended the schools of the county. Following in the footsteps of his father he selected the occupation of farming as his calling in life, and for many years after reaching his manhood carried on the work of a farmer in the place of his birth.

In 1872, Mr. Mehaffy crossed the ocean, with the State of Iowa in view as his destination. After looking around for a short time, he bought one hundred and twenty acres of fine rich land on Section 17, in Yellow Springs township, and began his labor. He had much to accomplish in order that he might obtain the best results from this farm, as some of it was covered with timber, and the improvements on it were on a very small scale. He had great ambition, and being a man of great energy and activity, at once commenced to clear the land. In a few years his labor yielded him very good profits, and he was able to make substantial improvements.

It certainly must be gratifying to Mr. Mehaffy, when he cast his eyes about and notes the condition and general appearance of his beautiful farm to-day, and then pictures in his mind what it looked like when he first owned it, to be able to say it is the work of his own hands. THe land is all under cultivation, and is well tiled and drained; it fully verifies the statement that Iowa is the place to raise the finest corn. At one time Mr. Mehaffy and his sons were known far and wide as the Mehaffy corn planters, as they operated some seven hundred and sixty acres and met with great success. The modern barn, convenientand well-built house, together with the other buildings and the fences on the place, all stand to-day as testimonials of the progress and advancement Mr. Mehaffy has made in life. Besides making a specialty of corn-raising, he carries on general farming to a large extent, as well as feeding a car-load of cattle and raising seventy hogs annually.

In January, 1861, Mr. Mehaffy was married to Miss Elizabeth Winslow, daughter of Wilson and Elizabeth (Lister) Winslow. This union has been blessed with nine children, all of whom frew to manhood and womanhood, and are now living, and are a great credit to the parents. The children are: Hannah Jane, who married Joseph Brown; David, of Mediapolis; John Wright, of Linton; Samuel, of Yellow Springs township; Lizzie, who became Mrs. James Edgar, of Crookston, Minn.; Lena, at home and Joseph, who lives east of Mediapolis.

After sharing the joys and sorrows of married life for a little over thirteen years, Mrs. Mehaffy was called to her final reward, Sept. 14, 1878, at the early age of twenty-eight years. She had many friends who loved her dearly, and at her death mingled their tears of deep sympathy with the bereaved husband and sorrowing children.

March 6, 1886, Mr. Mehaffy married Miss Elizabeth Hutchinson, who was born in County, Almera, Irelnad, and is the daughter of John and Agnes(Andrew)Hutchinson. Mr. and Mrs. Mehaffy are both devoted and influential members of the Reformed Presbyterian church, and always rejoice in the spiritual advancement of the same.

Mr. Mehaffy has never sought for public office, but for his good judgement and ability was placed in the position of supervisor of his township, an appointment which he held for sixteen years.

The hospitable home of this worthy couple is ever open to one and all of their host of friends. They are always on the alert to perform a deed of kindness, and to reach out a helping hand to the poor and needy. Mr Mehaffy is a whole-souled man whom it is a pleasure to know. He is broad and liberal in his views, fond of a good joke, and of an exceedingly sunny disposition, which charateristics coupled with principles which make for right, justice, and Morality, have endeared him to the whole community