Shorts, William

WILLIAM SHORTS, deceased, was born July 8, 1805, in Butler county, Pennsylvania, son of Robert and Mary (Porter) Shorts, and grandson of Richard and James (Johnson) Shorts, the former of England. His wife was Martha Jane Witherup, born May 10, 1803, in Venango county, daughter of John and Mary Witherup. John Witherup, first sheriff of Venango county, was born in England, came to Scrubgrass, Venango county, and was there engaged in the lumber business. His wife’s maiden name was Brockingham, and her parents came from England to Philadelphia. William Shorts came to Venango county when a young man and engaged in the lumber business two years. After his marriage he removed to Ohio, stayed there but a short time and returned to Victory township, Venango county, where he secured the tract of two hundred acres still known as the old Shorts farm. He was elected colonel of militia, from which he derived his title. When the Rebellion broke out he raised a company and went as captain of Company K, served two years, and was discharged on account of sickness. After the war he moved to Hunnewell, Missouri, with all of the family except Robert. They lived there a number of years, and then all returned to the old Shorts farm in Venango county. He died December 13, 1885, at the age of eighty in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the father of seven children: Robert C.; John; William, deceased; Mrs. Henrietta McKissick; Elizabeth; Mrs. Ann H. Balliett, deceased, and Abraham, now living in Franklin.