BIOS: Adam S. SHAFFER, Jennerstown, Somerset County, PA

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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW, Vol. XXXII, Containing Life Sketches of Leading 
Citizens of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. Boston, 
Biographical Review Publishing Company: 1899,

  Adam S. Shaffer, a successful farmer of Jennerstown, Somerset County, 
and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in the neighboring township of 
Quemahoning, November 8, 1827, son of Simon and Barbara (Poorman) 
Shaffer.  He is a grandson of Henry Shaffer, a native of Germany, who 
emigrated in the latter part of the last century, and once located as a 
pioneer in Somerset County.
  Henry Shaffer became the owner of large tracts of land in this part 
of the State, and proved himself very successful as a tiller of the 
soil.  He reared three sons and one daughter.  His wife's name is not 
known.
  Simon Shaffer during his early manhood followed farming in Somerset 
township, Pa., his native place, and later in life in Quemahoning, 
where he spent his last days, his death occurring at the age of 
seventy-six years.  He married Barbara Poorman, a native of Hagerstown, 
Md.  Twelve children were born of their union, and four survive; 
namely, Samuel, Aaron, Adam S., and Elizabeth.  Samuel married Mary 
Hite, who died leaving one child, Ellen, now the wife of Dr. Musser.  
Aaron married Martha Bender.  They have six children - William, Lizzie, 
Ellen, Samuel, Amanda, and Simon.  Elizabeth, the wife of John E. 
Anawalt, has seven children - Frank, Mary, Freeman, Amanda, Harriet, 
Annie and Ross.  Both parents were consistent members of the Lutheran 
church, and in politics the father affiliated with the Republican 
party.
  Adam S. Shaffer received his early education in the common schools of 
Quemahoning.  He subsequently learned the tanner's trade in Stoyestown, 
and worked at it about four years.  In 1854 he purchased his present 
farm in Jennerstown, and, with the exception of the time he was in the 
army, has since resided here.  He enlisted in 1864 in Company E, 
Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and while with that 
regiment was in the battles in Shenandoah Valley and in front of 
Petersburg on March 25, 1865, and on April 2, 1865.  At the close of 
the war he was honorably discharged, and at once resumed farming on his 
present homestead property.  He has one hundred and fifty acres of 
land, ninety of which are under cultivation and yield abundant annual 
harvests.
  He is a loyal Republican in politics, at each election doing his duty 
at the polls.  He has served faithfully in the various offices within 
the gift of his fellow-townsmen, and in the years 1881, 1882, and 1883 
was County Commissioner of Somerset County.  He is an active member of 
the Lutheran church, of which he was formerly Deacon for a number of 
years.
  Mr. Shaffer was married October 3, 1854, to Leah Hair, who was born 
January 1, 1826, and died October 20, 1880.  She bore him seven 
children, five of whom are living.  This is the record: Simon married 
Ellen Stufft, and has three children - Alice, Ermie, and Rebecca; John 
married Emma Fredeline, and has two children - Mary Jane and Maud 
Pauline; Edward L. married Sarah Berkey, by whom he has one child, 
Russell; Grant married Alice Welter, and has two children - Irene and 
Monica; and Belle is the wife of Court Welter, and has three children - 
Layer, Shaffer, and Earl.  On November 22, 1881, Mr Shaffer married 
Mrs. Mary A. Korns Muller, who was born December 18, 1841, and had 
twice married before she became Mrs. Shaffer.  Her first husband, John 
H. Pickering, died leaving her with two children, namely: Melissa, who 
is the wife of Noah D. Bowman, and has one child, Orwell; and Edmund.  
By her union with her second husband, Zachariah Muller, she had no 
children.