John H. Sheibley, the veteran editor of the People's Advocate & Press, died at his residence, in this place, Saturday evening of last week, at 5:25 o'clock, after an illness of two days, from uremia.

Friday morning shortly after 7 o'clock, Mr. Sheibley was discovered sitting in his chair in the parlor of his residence rapidly lapsing into a comatose condition. His son, H.E. Sheibley, had gone into the room to say good-bye preparatory to taking the morning train to Philadelphia. When about to shake his hand in farewell, his father with difficult articulation, told him to to for a physician. The wife who was in another portion of the house, was informed of her husband's condition, and hastening to his side, endeavored to restore him by all means known to medical science. He became semi-conscious in the afternoon and seemed to recognize the voices of those about him when they asked his wants, but about 5 o'clock he lost all consciousness and remained in that condition for the next twenty four hours, practically not moving a muscle, except those used in breathing, until his death. His end was peaceful, and with a smile on his face, he passed to the beyond. Although rapidly failing on health, he had shown no immediate indications of approaching dissolution, and in the morning before stricken was apparently as well as usual, and was exercised that his son should have an enjoyable time in the city.

John Holman Sheibley was born in the borough of Landisburg, this county, November 17, 1827, and was consequently aged 73 years and 14 days at the time of his death. His paternal ancestor was Peter Sheibley, a Swiss, who emigrated to this country while a young man and settled in Northhampton county, Pa. He was a Revolutionary soldier, fighting for the liberty of his adopted country. After a residence in Northhampton and Berks counties for some years, he came to Perry county about 1793 and settled near Green Park, where he lived until 1824, when death claimed him. His remains lie in the Loysville graveyard. Peter Sheibley was the father of twenty children, seventeen of whom lived to an advanced age, a majority past the four score. Among the children of Peter Sheibley was Bernard Sheibley, father of the subject of this sketch, who spent practically all of his life in Landisburg, where he died in 1876 in his 83rd year. Bernard Sheibley was married to Mary, daughter of Conrad Holman. The result of this union was; Peter M. who died in 1892 in Rome, GA; Harriet M. (Mrs. Lewis Grubb), of Buffalo, Sangamon county, Ill; John H. of New Bloomfield; Elizabeth Ann (Mrs. Samuel Kast), of Kingston, Cumberland county, Pa. deceased; Sarah H. (Mrs. Samuel A. Lightner), of Madison township, who died in 1839; William H., who died at Landisburg in 1892, from the effects of a wound received at Fredricksburg, while serving as captain of Co. G, 133rd, Pennsylvania Volunteers in the late Rebellion; Mary Jane, who died in childhood, in 1839; Samuel H., a grocer in Philadelphia; James P., a physician of Landisburg, who served during the Civil War in Co. D, 7th Pennsylvania, Reserve, and was wounded at Gaines Mills; Mary Ellen and Ada; the last two reside in the old homestead in Landisburg.

John H. Sheibley spent his early years in Lanisburg, where he received a common school education and laid the foundation of that sturdy physique that permitted such an active life as he led all his years. At the age of sixteen he left the parental roof to earn his way in the world, and became an apprentice in the office of the Reformed Messenger, then located in Chambersburg. After a service of five years in that office, he determined to seek a higher education that his earlier training had afforded, and went to Madison Court House, Va., in 1849, and there attended the Academy, of which his brother Peter M. Sheibley a graduate of Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pa., was then principal. In 1850 he went to Philadelphia, where he worked in Johnson Type Foundry--the oldest type foundry in America--until 1853. The acquaintances made there lasted until his death, he being the last living of the boys employed there, a fellow employee--the only one remaining--having died the past year. In 1853 strong inducements were made to him to return to his native county and embark in the newspaper business, and having purchased the necessary equipment for a country printing office, he came to Bloomfield and began the publication of the People's Advocate & Perry County Democratic Press, which was later changed to People's Advocate and Press, its present title. He spent all his days in active newspaper work and died in the harness.

June 24, 1858, Mr. Sheibley was joined in marriage with Mary, daughter of Nimrod and Eliza (Drexler) Eby, who still survives him. From his union there resulted three children; William B., Horace E. and Charles N., the last named having died in infancy. William B, is now a resident of Washington, an employee in the Government service. Horace E. has been actively engaged in newspaper work with his father for a number of years past.

In 1888 Mr. Sheibley became a memmber of Trinity Reformed Church, this place, under the ministry of the now sainted Rev. Dr. W.R.H. Deatrich, and soon thereafter was installed as deacon and later an elder, which office as well as that of trustee he held until his death. He was a constant attendant upon all the services of his church, and even when enfeebled by disease never missed a meeting possible for him to attend. He was a liberal contributor to the church in all its various enterprises and was ever seeking its advancement along all spiritual and temporal lines. Although thoroughly grounded in the faith of his fathers, he was yet a generous and unostentatious giver to other denominations of God's people. His death is indeed a loss to the church of his choice. The deceased frequently was a delegate to Classis and Synod, and capably represented his people. He died as he lived, rooted and grounded in the faith.

In the political field of this county and section of the State he played an important and active part. From the founding of his paper in 1853 up to the present he had always been an aggressive champion of the principals he advocated. Originally started as an independent Democratic paper and the ADVOCATE in 1856 cast its fortunes with the new Republic party, of which the editor was one of the fathers. Since that time his journal has always and admittedly ably advocated its principles. The editor had seen the large opposition vote cut down until the Republican party had gained a large majority of the voters of Perry county, and this we could modestly claim was in come measure due the strong work of the ADVOCATE in behalf of the party. During Lincoln's administration the editor was appointed a revenue assessor for this district, and in 1873 was elected a member of the legislature, serving one term. He also filled various local offices. In all these political trusts he showed a rare fidelity to duty.

The deceased was prominently identified with all progressive movements for the betterment of the community. He had a pride in the development of this borough as well as of the county at large. He was possibly the largest contributor to stock of the Perry County Railroad, and at the time of its construction was one of the most sanguine supporters of the project. He lived to see his expectations in a measure realized. He was at one time President of the Company and a director until his death. He was also a director of the Duncannon National Bank of this place.

In the editorial profession he was popularly and widely known. During a service of almost a half century he formed a large number of warm personal friendships with fellow-journalists--many of whom beloved by him have crossed the flood. He was a prominent member of the National Editorial Association, as well as of the State Editorial Association, and annually, until his health failed him, participated in the excursions of these organizations, in which he fraternized with many of the ablest journalists of the times.--Having received a thorough training in the printing office, he was a man capable of filling any position on a newspaper, and kept in constant touch with every detail of his business, superintending the makeup of his paper until his death. In his demise the profession, in all its lines, has sustained a loss not easily filled in these days when the old-school requirements of thoroughness with versatility are not considered so requisite.

In all the walks of life the departed was a useful citizen. His was an aggressive nature. In politics he weighed questions carefully and when convinced in his judgement of the right he boldly took his stand. He knew no middle course. His position was never doubtful. No one ever honestly questioned his political integrity, and no one has ever received a meagre support when his cause was just. While in the heat of political contests he may at times have penned bitter words, yet he never carried these animosities into his social life, and some of his warmest friends were political opponents. He was a thoughtful and considerate friend and no one was ever refused aid who honestly needed, and it was in his power to grant. Since his death many have attested to his large heartedness and generosity of which his relations and friends knew naught He was unostentatious in his giving.

But is was in his family life that he shone best. He was devoted to his home, wife, and sons. His greatest enjoyment was realized in adding pleasure to theirs. Unselfish in his nature, no sacrifice was too great for them. He cherished most strongly the ties of relationship and none ever found him wanting in interest when they asked his counsel or advice. His best efforts were always at their service. He was esteemed by all who knew his true nature, as is attested by the universal regret at his taking-off and the expressions and letters of sympathy received on all hand.

He has rounded out a busy and active life, not unmingled with pleasure. His last days were fraught with suffering his family knew little of, but he bore his cross with Christian fortitude, meeting the grim monster, without flinching, placing his trust in the high ideal to which humanity instinctively turns--the heroic sufferer on the cross, in whose death His children are healed. To the family bowed in grief, he as left the priceless legacy of a noble life filled with good deeds, a heritage more treasured than all earthly possessions, an example that through life will be the guiding star of his sons, who while mourning a loved one, yet face the future, confident that if his example be but emulated there shall be no doubt as to their final and glorious meeting beyond the veil.

To a beloved father loving sons offer this humble tribute.

The remains of the deceased were interred in the cemetery, this place, Tuesday morning, services being conducted at his late residence by the Rev. J. David Miller, of the Reformed Church of Duncannon, assisted by Revs. F.T. Wheeler, H.K. Ash, and E.C.B. Castle, of this borough. Rev. Mr. Miller text was taken from Isaiah 43:2. "When thou passed through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not over flow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; ne'er shall the flame kindle upon thee."

A large number of people were present despite the most inclement weather, to pay the last tribute of respect.

Beautiful Floral tributes were sent by the Duncannon National Bank and Perry County Railroad Company.

Taken from the Peoples Advocate & Press, December 5, 1900