BIO: George SHAFFER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ GEORGE SHAFFER, one of the few survivors of the brave band of pioneers who took an active part in transforming Brush Valley from a primitive wilderness to a region of fertile farms, is now the oldest citizen in the vicinity of Madisonburg. Under his observant eyes great changes have taken place, and it is interesting to listen to his reminiscences of the early days, his clear and active mind retaining well the memories of his youth. Mr. Shaffer is a native of Brush Valley, having been born at the old Shaffer homestead near Madisonburg, December 1, 1811, and is a member of the well-known pioneer family. His grandfather, John Adam Shaffer, was born in Berks county, Penn., October 31, 1752, and did gallant service in the Revolutionary army. He was second lieutenant of a company of Associators during the campaign of Trenton and Princeton in 1776-77, and was noted for his Herculean fame, being the strongest man in the company. He came from York county, Penn., with a brother, Nicholas, and settled in Brush Valley about the beginning of the present century, purchasing the interest of Valentine Ertle's in a tract of land one-half mile east of Madisonburg, where he passed his remaining days, his death occurring January 14, 1840. He was married in York county to Elizabeth Klinefelder, a native of that county, born December 27, 1760. She died in November, 1835, and the remains of both were interred at Madisonburg. They had eleven children, of whom the following record is given: John died in Miles township, Centre county; Michael in Walker township, Centre county; George in Indiana; Jacob in Ohio; Adam and Samuel in Pennsylvania; Barbara in Ohio; Catherine in York county, Penn.; Lizzie in Indiana; Eve in Venango county, Penn.; and Magdalena in Ohio. Judge John Shaffer, our subject's father, was born in York county, January 31, 1780, and was a young man when he came with his parents to Brush Valley, where he made his permanent home, his death occurring at the farm near Madisonburg, September 21, 1851. He was well known throughout Centre county, and was influential politically as a member of the Democratic party. He served four terms as county commissioner, and was associate judge of Centre county from 1841 to 1846. At one time he owned five thousand acres of mountain land which he sold in portions at different times. He was prominent in the Lutheran Church, serving as deacon and elder, and in fact, took an active part in all progressive movements of that day and locality. Well built physically, he took pride in the fact and in the resemblance of all his sons in this respect. He was married (first) in Penn's Valley to Miss Eve Frank, daughter of Philip Frank, of Aaronsburg. The three children of this union - John, Daniel, and Elizabeth (Mrs. Frederick Johnsonbaugh) - all died in COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 231 Indiana. Their mother died and was buried at Rebersburg, and Judge Shaffer afterward married Miss Sarah Kren, who was born October 9, 1778, and died January 16, 1867. Of their family, our subject was the eldest: (2) Catherine, widow of Edward Houtz, resides in Gregg township, Centre county; (3) Adam will be mentioned elsewhere; (4) Sarah married Michael Hazel and died in Brush Valley; (5) Andrew died at Madisonburg; (6) Joseph resides in Nittany Valley; (7) Philip died in Illinois; (8) Hannah, widow of Samuel Royer, lives in Indiana; (9) Susanna, widow of Samuel Winter, resides at Kramersville. George Shaffer, our subject, passed his youth upon his father's farm, his time being largely employed in clearing and burning brush. There were no free schools in his time, and he never had a day in an English school. At the age of twenty-four he married Miss Lydia Wolfe, who was born in November, 1807, the daughter of Anthony Wolfe. Three children were born of this union: (1) Daniel E., served in the Civil war in Company A, 148th P.V.I., as first lieutenant, but was taken ill while on the front and returned home, where he died September 12, 1864; (2) Rosetta married Abraham Lukenbach, and died at Rockville, Penn., April 23, 1862; and (3) George W. died in Missouri. The mother of this little family, who was a devout Lutheran in faith, died November 10, 1862, and her remains lie in the cemetery at Madisonburg. Mr. Shaffer for his second wife married Sarah, daughter of Peter Rodebaugh and widow of William Bair, who was at one time a merchant and hotel keeper at Madisonburg. She was born October 16, 1815, and died at Madisonburg, November 29, 1894, leaving no children by this union. She belonged to the Reformed Church of which Mr. Shaffer is a leading member, having held various offices. To one Church he has given $1,000 including the bell and other fixtures donated by himself and his wife. After his first marriage, Mr. Shaffer remained five years at the old home, and then bought a portion of the farm and put up suitable buildings for his use. He followed agriculture there until 1860 when he removed to a farm near Madisonburg and continued his work. In 1889 he gave up the active management of the estate, and in his eighty-third year he ceased to do the various chores with which he had whiled away a portion of this time. Thus the evening of his life is spent in peaceful contemplation of the past, and the hope of the future reunion with the loved ones who have preceded him to the "better land." Mr. Shaffer is a Democrat in politics, and has voted for every Presidential candidate of his party from Andrew Jackson down. He has always been a valued counselor in local organization, and has held various township offices.