BIO: John Shaeffer, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2010.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA.

                              CHAPTER XLVII.

                             HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP.

  JOHN SHAEFFER, farmer, P. O. Good Hope, is a native of Hampden 
Township, this county, born on the old Shaeffer farm, at the foot of 
the Blue Mountains, in 1829.  His father, John Shaeffer, was born on 
the same place, which his grandfather bought shortly after arriving in 
this country from Germany.  This property is still held by the family, 
being now in the hands of John and his two brothers.  At the age of 
twenty-one years John Shaeffer went West, but returned two years later, 
and engaged in the profession of school-teaching for the ensuing twelve 
years, farming in the summers.  In 1862 he married Elizabeth A., 
daughter of Christian C. Rupp, of Silver Spring Township, this county.  
In 1864 he gave up school-teaching and gave his whole time to farm 
work.  In 1871 he again began teaching, and taught for three years in 
Hampden, and one year in Hogestown.  Then he again farmed for two years 
in Silver Spring Township, and while a resident of New Kingston, in 
that township, he was elected clerk of the courts and recorder, which 
position he filled for three years.  On the expiration of his term of 
office, he bought the farm on which he lives, and now gives his 
attention exclusively to it.  He has three daughters:  Flora Jane, 
Bertha Frances and Alta Mary, who live with their parents.  In his 
official position Mr. Shaeffer made many friends by the thorough and 
conscientious 

483  HAMPDEN TOWNSHIP.

manner in which he performed his duties, and should he again be called 
to serve his fellow-citizens, which is likely, he will bring to the 
discharge of his duties the same sterling qualities which have 
distinguished his past career.  He is one of the citizens of the county 
who must inevitably take a leading part in the administration of its 
affairs.  He and his wife and two elder daughters are communicants of 
Salem Methodist Episcopal Church in Hampden Township.