The Shaffer Families of Stark County, Ohio

SAMUEL SHAFFER, deceased; was born in eastern Pennsylvania, in 1803; the second child of a family of thirteen children born to William ShafTrr. William Shaffer came to Ohio with his family in 1814, and located in Washington Tp., Stark Co., where he entered considerable land. His numerous family of children all lived to maturity, and he and his wile remained in the same place until their demise, which occurred many years ago. Their sons all settled in Ohio, but some of their daughters removed to the west with their families. Samuel married Mary Barger, Sept. 20, 1825. She was daughter of Christian Barger, a minister of the United Brethren Church, who came with his family from Pennsylvania early in the spring of 1825, and settled at Harrisburg, Stark Co. He labored in the good cause for about three years in the pioneer settlements, when the Master called him from earthly scenes. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer pursued their farming vocation about two arid a half miles southwest of Mt. Union, until by rheumatism he was disabled in one leg, being then less able to indulge in active work of the farm, and still retaining his usual energy, he was determined to do something; so he opened a grocery at his residence, which he conducted for about three years. In 1841 he moved to Freedom — now Alliance — and opened the second store ever in this place. He was early identified with the United Brethren Church, of which he was Trustee for many years, but subsequently united himself with the M. E. Church, which denomination granted him a license to preach, but being of a reserved and retiring turn of mind, ho never entered on ministerial duties. He was a man of good business ability, and did much for the general welfare and development of Alliance. In partner-ship with his son Jacob, he built the provision warehouse now owned by Jacob Lower, and conducted business there several years. He was cho-iMi Township Trustee, which office he held for many years..Mr. ankl Mrs. Shaffer were parents of nine children, eight of whom lived to maturity, viz: — Jacob, Henry, Samuel (was a eor.duciur on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., on which he sustained fatal injuries at Massillon,) Isaac, Sarah, Susan, Sophia and Lucinda. Mr. Shaffer died Feb. 7. 1877. Mrs. Shaffer is left in very comfortable circumstances, and is remarkably hale for one of her age, and especially for one who has cared for so large a family, and borne the burthen and withstood the trials of pioneer life.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JACOB SHAFFER, treasurer and secretary of the Alliance Bagging Co.; Alliance; was born in Washington Tp., this county, July 3, 1828. He is the son of Samuel and Mary M. vShaffer, who is referred to elsewhere in this work. His boyhood was spent in his father's store as clerk while he was yet quite young, in which capacity he continued many years. On attaining his majority he entered into partnership with his father in the mercantile business; they estaVilishcd a general store of merchandise, besides handling produce largely. They also took in as partner one A. C. Hanger, the firm name being S. Shaffer & Co., which was dissolved in 1857. Our subject then embarked in the dry goods trade with Mr. Keplinger for about three years. In 1862 a partnership was formed be-

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY SHAFFER, farmer and ship.er of moulding sand; P. O. Alliance; was born in Washingtcm Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 7, 1834; the fourth of eight children born to Samuel and Mary (Berger) Shaffer, whrjse sketch appears in this work. His parents moved to Alliani'e when he was quite young. He went out to his uncle.Jonathan Shaffer's, where he lived three years, Wh(n about 10 years of age, he began to learn the carp(Miter's trade with James K. Blackburn, and followed that business until 1850, in the meantime having contracted and built many farm buildings. Dec. 24, 1855, he married hJlizabeth Chance; they have one child, Franklin H. Mrs. Shaffer is a daughter of Perry and Lovina Chance, of Alliance. For two years he was running a saw-mill, and in 1858 he rented a small farm and turned his attention to farming, which lasted only that season. Having lost all his crops by the severe and memorable freeze in June, 1858, he became disgusted, and secured a position on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., as a brakeman, but was soon placed in chargeof a freight train; then promoted to coruhictor on a passenger train between Ft. Wayne and Chicago, having his residence in the latter place, from 1801 to 1800. They returned to Alliance, when he quit railroad work, where he has remained since. He purchased a small farm of 43 acres, on which is found valuable beds of moulding sand, for which there is a good demand in the moulding establishments all over the country, from Pittsburg east, to Indianapolis and Chicago in the west Mr. Shaffer has been a member of the ATasonic faiternity since 18(i0. He has been a Director of the Alliance & Lake Erie Railroad, and for two years Superintendent of said railroad, and one of its promoters.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM SHAFFER, stock-raiser and farmer; P. O. Iouisville; was born Nov. 18, 1839, in Washington Tp., Stark Co., Ohio. He is a son of John and Margaret (Cairns) Shaffer, who were parents of a family of five

— William, Andrew J., Joseph, James, and Jane. The mother of these was a native of Scotland, and the father was born in Washington Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, in 1819. The subject of this biography is a grandson of William Shaffer, who came to Stark Co. about 1815, from Pennsylvania. John Shaffer was a farmer. He was an honest and upright citizen, and a man highly respected. His death occurred in 1866; his widow being yet living on the old farm in Washington Tp. William Shaffer passed his youth and early manhood with his parents on the farm, and since has made farming his occupation. He received a good common-school and academical education, and in March, 1865, married Lydia, daughter of Peter and Catharine (Shaffer) Trump. By her he has a family of eight children — Ida J., Ella, Lillie, Charles, Ada, Clara L., Elmer and Nettie. Mrs. Shaffer was born April 14, 1841. In 1865 Mr. Shaffer moved on, and purchased 68 acres of the farm he now owns, which he has increased to a fine farm of 130 acres. He started out in life with but little means at his command, but with the help of his wife, has made a valuable and pleasant home. Mr. Shaffer is a teacher of nine terms' experience in the public schools. He is a Democrat, and has held various township offices. He and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, and are respected and intelligent citizens.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.