HARTSHORNE, Joshua, is descended from a family of that name who came from England and settled in what is now Cecil Co., Md., about the year 1700, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits, taking an active part in the affairs of the colony and during the war of the Revolution.  His uncle, John Hartshorne, entered the service in the Third Regiment of the Maryland line, served during the war, and was discharged colonel of the regiment at its close, November 1783.

Joshua Hartshorne, who was born June 17, 1804, was the third son and fourth child of Jonathan Hartshorne and his wife, Mary Gillespie, who was of Scotch-Irish extraction.  He received his education under the care of the learned Rev. Dr. Magraw, of West Nottingham Academy, Cecil Co., Md.  He subsequently removed to Chester Co., Pa., and engaged in merchandising.  In 1839 he was elected a member of the Lower House of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and served one term.  In 1844, the same year of the exciting Presidential campaign between Polk and Clay, he was elected a member of the State Board of Railroad and Canal Commissioners, and served three years, being the last year president of the board.  On retiring from office, in 1848, he engaged in the iron business at Baltimore, Md., and after residing there about thirty years he returned to Chester County, and settled at West Chester.