Bio of SHAEFFER/SHEAFFER, John William (b.1849), Faribault Co., MN
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  John William Sheaffer, who is engaged in the grain business at 
Winnebago City, Faribault County, Minnesota, as manager of the Farmers' 
Warehouse Company, is one of the representative business men of the city.
  He is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Scioto County, April 17, 
1849, the only child of Samuel and Mary (Wait) Sheaffer, both natives of 
Pennsylvania.  In 1850, Samuel Sheaffer, attracted by the discovery of 
gold in California, went to the State, where he died the following year.  
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Sheaffer took her young son and 
went to live with her father, Isaac Wait, who was then a resident of 
Scioto 'County, Ohio.  When the subject of this notice was a boy of five 
years his grandfather came west with his family and settled in Rice County, 
Minnesota, where he engaged in farming.  
  John W. Sheaffer remained with his grandfather until he was seventeen 
years of age, being reared to farm life and becoming familiar with all 
the duties pertaining to agricultural pursuits.  His boyhood was passed 
much in the same manner as other farmer lads, midst work and play and in 
attendance at the public school during the winter months, where he 
acquired only a limited education.  At the age of seventeen he began life 
for himself by working as a farm hand, and carefully saving his earnings.  
In 1870 he married Miss Mina Hartman, who also is a native of Ohio, 
daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Hartman.  Her family came west to Iowa 
when Mrs. Sheaffer was only two years of age and three years later 
settled in Faribault County, Minnesota, where she grew to womanhood.  
Mr. and Mrs. Sheaffer commenced their married life on 160 acres of land 
on section 1, Nashville Township, Martin County, which his mother had 
pre-empted under the homestead law of 1863.  He continued farming and 
stock-raising there, with good success, until 1890, when he rented his 
farm and entered the employ of the above named company.  Two years later 
he moved his family to the city and into the handsome residence which he 
had erected on Holly Street.
  Mr. Sheaffer's life thus far has been characterized by industry, 
perseverance and correct habits.  As a businessman he is painstaking 
and reliable, and his long service with this company is an evidence of 
his integrity.  In all matters pertaining to the public good, Mr. 
Sheaffer takes a commendable interest and lends his support.  
Politically, he is a Republican, but not and office-seeker.  He has, 
however, three times served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors 
in Nashville Township, and for a number of years served as School 
Director.  Socially, he is a member of the M. W. A., and with his 
family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
  Mr. And Mrs. Sheaffer have a family of four children, namely: Mary 
Althea, John Rutherford, Maud I., and Harry S., --all at home and 
having the benefit of good educational advantages.
  In 1863 Mrs. Sheaffer, the mother of this gentleman, married Mr. 
Sylvester Woodman, a farmer of Shelby Township, Blue Earth County, 
Minnesota, and is now (1894) living in Pleasant Mound Township, that 
county.