BIOS: Cyrus M. SHAVER, Somerset, 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, pp 33-34.

  Cyrus M. Shaver, a well-to-do and highly respected citizen of Somerset, Pa., 
was born in this township, June 19, 1839, a son of George and Sarah (Haines) 
Shaver.
  His paternal grandfather, Deacon Philip Shaver, was born in Hagerstown, Md., 
in 1786, and was there brought up on a farm.  When eighteen years old he came to 
Somerset County, Pennsylvania, which he made his permanent place of residence, 
living here until his death in 1879 at an advanced age of ninety-three years.  
He owned and operated a grist-mill for many years, and he also carried on 
general farming, being an extensive business man for his time.  His wife, Sarah 
Smith, who bore him four sons and five daughters, spent her entire seventy years 
of earthly life in Somerset County.  She, like himself, was a member of the 
Lutheran church, of which he was Deacon and an Elder for a number of years.
  George Shaver, son of Deacon Philip, was born in the township of Somerset, 
Pa., September 28, 1810, and died here September 16, 1895.  He was an 
industrious and prosperous farmer.  In his earlier active life he worked during 
the summer seasons at the mason's trade, and in the long and cold winters made a 
substantial living for himself and family as a coverlet weaver, doing the work 
at home on a hand loom.  He was a Republican in politics, very active in local 
affairs, and served in various public offices of trust, such as Town Clerk and 
Assessor.  His wife, Sarah, daughter of John Haines, of Milford township, Pa., 
died at the age of seventy years.  Both were members of the Lutheran church.  
They had three children, two of whom are living - Elizabeth and Cyrus M.  
Elizabeth has been twice married.  By her first husband, David Swank, she had 
two sons - Aaron and Ephraim Swank.  Her second husband, David Young, died some 
time since, leaving her with five children - Annie, Sadie, Minnie, Russell, and 
Milton.
  Cyrus M. Shaver, son of George and grandson of Deacon Philip Shaver, was 
educated in the common schools of Somerset township, where he became versed in 
the practical sciences, a knowledge of which is essential to a business man.  In 
early manhood he learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed summers for a 
number of years; while in the winter he wove coverlets, oftentimes working with 
his father, who had taught him the art.  He is now living on a portion of the 
ancestral estate, and devotes his attention largely to the agricultural 
pursuits, in which he has met with excellent success.  He is a stanch Republican 
in his political affiliations, and is prominent in town affairs.  For six years 
he served as a School Director, was Tax Collector the same length of time and 
for a number of terms was Township Clerk.  He was Postmaster in the village of 
Listie eight consecutive years, and during that time he conducted a store of 
general merchandise, and served as ticket agent at Listie on the Baltimore and 
Ohio Railroad.  In 1890, when the last census was taken, he was appointed 
enumerator of this township.
  On January 1, 1862, Mr. Shaver married Julia, daughter of John C. Schrock, of 
Somerset.  She died August 24, 1886.  Ten children were born of their union, 
eight of whom are now living, namely: Edward E., who married Agnes Brumbaugh, of 
Bedford, Pa., and has three children - Chalmer, Ruth, and Roland; George G; Ida 
M.; Lizzie L.; William W., who married Jennie Swank, of Somerset, and has two 
children - Marjory and Emeline; Sadie E.; Fannie G., wife of Edward Neid, of 
this town and mother of one child, Marion; and Lottie B.  On October 2, 1892, 
Mr. Shaver married for his second wife Nancy, daughter of Alexander Hunter, of 
Somerset.  She is an active member of the Disciples church, and he is identified 
by membership with the German Baptist church, to which his first wife also 
belonged.