*****Copying of the files within by  non-commercial individuals and 
libraries is encouraged.  This message must appear on all copied files. 
Commercial copying must have permission. *****
Submitted by Cindy Bryant




				SAMUEL AND SUSANNAH (RINGS) SHAFFER

	John Shaffer was born in Baltimore Co., Md., Nov. 9, 1801.  In 1825 he was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Seymour, who was born in	Pickaway Co., Ohio, March 8, 1806.  Her grandfather, 
grandmother, and aunt were murdered by the Indians at the time of the Indian massacre in Richland
Co., Ohio.  When John was sixteen years old his father settled in the then almost unbroken forest
of Richland Co., Ohio, packing his goods on horseback sixty miles.  On the farm then settled John
grew to manhood.  After his marriage John went on to a new farm, on which he resided until 1835, 
when he sold out and again went to a new country, this time in Fulton Co., Ohio, where he bought 
three hundred and thirty acres of land on Bean Creak, seven miles from any white person.  For his
supplies he went to Maumee, forty miles away.  He had money, but could buy nothing with it nearer
 than Maumee.  His son well remembers his offering three dollars per bushel for potatoes, but 
could not get them at that.  He had five boys, and with their aid clearing went rapidly on for a 
few months.  Then came the fever of that time, and there were no well ones to care for the sick. 
For many years they saw the sickly seasons come and go until clearing up the land made a change 
for the better.
	Soon after his arrival Mr. Shaffer was told that he had a neighbor seven miles away.  So 
he at once set out, in company with his son Samuel, to make their acquaintance, which they did,
and Samuel saw for the first time his future father-in-law.  In 1863, Mr. Shaffer again sold out 
and again sought a new country, this time in Ferris township and on a new farm.  Again he went
many miles for his flour, etc., and again saw the inconvenience of pioneer life.  On this farm he
remained until his death, Jan. 1, 1870.
	He had a family of nine children, of whom our subject, Samuel, was the eldest.  He was 
born in Richland Co., Ohio, Feb. 14, 1826.  His childhood and early manhood, and, in fact, the
greater part of his life, has been passed in the forests, and few men have seen as much of 
pioneer life as he.  He had, one might say, no school advantage, and is almost wholly self-taught.
	Dec. 19, 1852, he married Miss Susannah Rings, born Feb. 17, 1836 in West Unity.  She was
a daughter of John Rings, a native of Westmoreland, Pa., born Sept. 2, 1804, and married to Miss
Anna Brinker, Dec. 8, 1831.  They moved in April, 1835 to Brady township, where now West 
Unityville stands, in Williams Co., Ohio, and were the third settlers there.  On this farm Mr. 
Rings died April 18., 1855, his wife having died in April, 1840.  They left three children.
	Soon after his marriage Mr. Shaffer moved to Pike township, Fulton Co., Ohio, and entered
forty acres of wild land.  It took all his means to buy his land and a yoke of Oxen, and to him 
for several years life was no holiday.  His material for his house was hauled twenty miles, and 
the house was built by himself.  He added forty acres to his farm and cleared sixty acres of it, 
Mrs. Shaffer doing more than her share. 
	In 1864 he came to Michigan and again bought a new farm of one hundred and sixty acres, 
with log house and its pioneer accompaniments.  He now has a handsome farm with a good house and 
outbuildings, which makes a little village of itself.  Mr. Shaffer is called one of the most 
successful business men in Ferris.  He has dealt largely in land an has made a fine fortune.
	In politics a Democrat until 1876, then and now a National; has been justice of the 
peace, highway commissioner, township treasurer, etc.
	To Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have been born the following children: John R., born in West 
Unity Dec. 10, 1853, and is a graduate of Ann Arbor, and now practicing medicine at Elm Hall; 
Maggie A., born Nov. 9, 1855; and Alice E., born Aug. 26, 1858,--all married, the daughters 
living close by.  



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881.  Page 466.  Ferris Township.