BIO: Harvey Jacob SHAFER, Sr., Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Dave Wilson Copyright 2007. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************************** __________________________________________________________ McElroy, James Thomas Jr., McElroy's Family Memories, Huntingdon, PA: (Author), 1930, page 191. __________________________________________________________ HARVEY JACOB SHAFER, SR. Mount Union, Pa. Mechanic: Going back to the days of King Louis, of France, the Prince of Conde, and the great French Admiral Coligny, finds one among the Hugenots, a class of people known for their industrious habits and sterling integrity. Such is the ancestry of the house of Harvey Jacob Shafer. This is a heritage worth embracing. Beginning with his early life, he was born in Clay Township, near Saltillo, July 27, 1882, and at Centre Grove, Clay Township, he received his early schooling. His father, George Shafer, resides in Kistler, Mifflin Co., Pa., and was born in York Co., Pa., near Hanover, Pa., July 3, 1860; his father came from Germany when twelve years of age. The mother of Harvey Shafer was May Belle Greenland; she died in 1890. For many years the Greenland reunions have been very popular among the relatives and acquaintances. From the Greenland branch of the family tree is traced the ancestry of the Hugenots noted above. Harvey Shafer, Sr., is an expert mechanic at the United States Refractories Co., of Mount Union, Pa. He has been with this company for over twelve years. At the age of thirteen years he began learning the blacksmith trade and continued on, becoming proficient at his trade. He was employed at various coal mines in Huntingdon and Bedford counties from 1890 to 1908 and operated a blacksmith shop at Fort Littleton, Pa. He has one brother, George Shafer, Huntingdon, Pa. Sisters are: Mrs. Joseph Davis, Huntingdon, Pa.; Mrs. R. M. Ripple, Bradford, Pa.; Mrs. Ray Bollinger, Huntingdon, Pa. Harvey Jacob Shafer, Sr., was married to Myrtle Hamilton of Saltillo, Pa. The following are the sons and daughters of this union: Darrel C. is a graduate of the Mount Union High School; for several years was with the Penna. R.R.; is at present office manager in the office of B. Carl Wharton, insurance; Charles R. is a machinist with the U.S. Refractories Co., Mount Union, Pa.; Rex G. attended Mount Union High School; he early in life preferred a life of adventure; he enlisted in the United States Military service (foreign), stationed at Honolulu, Hawaii; he won distinction as a bugler in the service; he served his enlistment and returned home; gave his talent to organizing the Mount Union Bugle Corps, which he has perfected, and which organization is a credit to Mount Union; he is a present with the Harbison-Walker Refractories Co., Ira R. is also a High School graduate; he was for a time with the Boston Stores Co., in a clerical capacity; he also was with the State Highway Department; at present is taking a post-graduate course at the Mount Union High School, his Alma Mater. Harvey H. is attending school, as is also Lillian Grace, twelve years, and Joyce, seven years of age. In Church matters the family are Lutherans. Mr. Shafer has been a deacon and financial secretary of the Church Council; he has never aspired to political office, although men of his type help to strengthen a party's usefulness. He is a much devoted man to his family and owns his home on Halley street. He delights in hunting when time permits.