Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Shaffer, Simon L.
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


SIMON L. SHAFFER, an extensive landholder and one of the 
leading agriculturists of Bedford township, Pa., was born 
September 25, 1838, a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Lutz) 
Shaffer.  His birthplace was Snake Spring township, Bedford 
County, where his grandfather, John Shaffer, settled when a 
young man, and where he spent his remaining years.
  John Shaffer was a native of Germany, whence he emigrated 
to America.  Courageous and loyal to the country of his 
adoption, he proved his willingness to serve its interests 
by enlisting as a soldier at the time of the Black Hawk War.
  Adam Shaffer spent his entire life in Snake Spring 
township, where his death occurred in May, 1897.  He was a 
farmer by occupation, and was well-known throughout the 
community.  The homestead which he improved is now occupied 
by his daughter and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. England.  Of 
his union with Elizabeth Lutz, the following children 
survive: Simon L., the subject of this biography; Mary E., 
wife of Rufus England, of Snake Spring; John H.L., whose 
sketch appears on another page of this volume, and in 
connection with which further parental history may be found; 
Catherine, wife of Solomon Diehl, of Snake Spring; and Sarah 
A., wife of John W. Imler, of Bedford, Pa.  Both parents 
were members of the Lutheran church.
  Simon L. Shaffer was educated in the district schools of 
Snake Spring and at a private normal school.  He 
subsequently taught several terms of school in both Bedford 
and Colerain townships, and then embarked upon a mercantile 
career as junior member of the firm of Ferguson & Shaffer, 
at Bedford, Bedford County.  After the dissolution of this 
firm Mr. Shaffer for a while carried on business for himself 
as a merchant, first in the town of Everett, this county, 
and then in Clearville, and later was proprietor of a 
general store at Imlertown, where he remained eight years.  
During a large part of that time he served as Postmaster, 
and for five years he was Justice of the Peace for Bedford 
township.  Since retiring from mercantile pursuits Mr. 
Shaffer has carried on general farming with most 
satisfactory results.  He now owns two valuable farming 
estates, one of which he occupies himself.
  A decided Republican in politics, he is influential in 
local affairs, and on more than one occasion has been the 
choice of his party as a candidate for nomination for the 
State legislature.  He belongs to the Bedford Grange, P. of 
H., and takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to 
the welfare of the organization.  He is an active member of 
the Lutheran church in which he is an Elder, and for 
twenty-three years has been superintendent of its 
Sunday-school.
  On May 1, 1860, Mr. Shaffer married Margaret C., daughter 
of Jacob Semler, late of Bedford township.  Mrs. Shaffer 
died May 21, 1895.  Of the children that have blessed their 
union, four are living; namely, Adam J., Simon H., Margaret 
L., and John.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa