University of Virginia Library

JUDGE JOHN PRESTON SHEFFEY.

The subject of this sketch was the son of James White Sheffey and Ellen
Fairman Preston, his wife, and was born at Marion, Virginia, December
12th, 1837. He graduated at Emory and Henry College in June, 1857.
Studied law at the University of Virginia 1858-'59, and began the practice

John P. Sheffey.

of law in 1859. Enlisted in the Confederate army,
served as second and first lieutenant, and was elected
captain of Company "A," Eighth Regiment of Virginia
Cavalry, at the reorganization in 1862; was taken
prisoner at Moorefield, Virginia, August 7th, 1864, and
confined in Camp Chase, Ohio, until February, 1865;
was exchanged, and afterwards joined his company at
Appomattox. He resumed the practice of his profession,
and continued until January 1st, 1895, when he
assumed the duties of judge of the Sixteenth Circuit of
Virginia, to which position he had been elected by the
General Assembly of Virginia. Was a member of the
Legislature from Smyth county 1893-'94, and several times a member of
the Council of Marion, Virginia. Was married June 19th, 1863, to Miss
Josephine Spiller, and has seven children, all living.