Samuel Shaffer

As printed in 1881

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 History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.