Andrew J. Guffin, M. D., a successful physician of Carlisle, was born in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, N.Y., June 6, 1846, son of John and Hannah (Dings) Guffin. The Guffin family is of Scotch-Irish antecedents, and was founded in America by the Doctor's grandfather, Andrew Guffin, who was born in Newry, County Down, Ireland, in 1756.
Andrew Guffin emigrated to America when a young man, settling first in Dutchess County, New York. Later he moved to Schodack, near Nassau, Rensselaer County, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1842. He was extensively engaged in farming. In politics he was a Whig, and his religious affiliations were with the Dutch Reformed church. In 1781 he married Hannah Ostrom, who was born in Dutchess County, New York, of German ancestry. She died in 1835, at the age of seventy-three. They were the parents of fourteen children; namely, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Andrew G., Sarah, James, John, Thomas, George, Mary, Josiah, Henry, Hannah, Elijah, and Jonas. Elijah became a teacher in an asylum for deaf-mutes. All the other sons were farmers.
John Guffin, the Doctor's father, followed agriculture in Albany and Rensselaer Counties successively until the last fifteen years of his life, which he spent in retirement as a resident of the city of Albany. He was very successful financially, owning a number of farms and other real estate. In politics he was a Republican and in his religious belief Presbyterian. He died in 1879, aged eighty years. His wife lived to the age of about eighty-two. She was the mother of four children, namely: Emma, who is no longer living; Andrew J., the subject of this sketch; Charles W., a clerk in the American Express Office in New York City; and John C., who was formerly secretary of the American Sewing Machine Company of New York.
Andrew J. Guffin, having completed his general education at the Albany Classical Institute, enlisted for service in the Civil War; and subsequent to his discharge he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. J. R. Boulware, a leading physician of Albany. He then took the regular course at the Albany Medical College, where he was graduated in 1868. After a year's experience as physician at the almshouse, he settled for practice in Nassau, N.Y., whence he went to Canaan Four Corners, and still later to New Canaan, Conn., from which place he removed to Clifton Park, Saratoga County, . N. Y. In 1897 he came to Carlisle, where he has already built up a good practice.
Dr. Guffin is a member of the Schoharie County Medical Society. Politically, he is a Republican, and is now serving as Health Officer. A member of the Presbyterian church, he was formerly president of the local branch of Christian Endeavor Society, and is now its treasurer.
Dr. Guffin married October 21, 1869, Vira Phillips, of Nassau, Rensselaer County, N.Y., daughter of John and Mary Phillips. Of this union was born one child, a son, John C. Mrs. Guffin departed this life in 1890. John C. Guffin was graduated from the Cobleskill High School, and is now book-keeper at William V. Downer's Life Insurance Agency.