Biography:  Caspar Stotler of Shade Township

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Casper Stotler was the first settler within the boundaries of
Shade Township. He built a cabin as early as 1762 at a place
called "The Fields" (now the Guy Lambert Farm) along the
Forbes Road on the west slope of the Allegheny Mountain to which
he brought his family in 1768. Casper Stotler served in General
John Forbes' Army during the French and Indian War as an ensign
in Captain Edward Ward's Company under the command of
Colonel Henry Bouquet.

The Stotler family were temporarily driven out of their home
several times by the Indians. They buried their tools and other
personal belongings which they could not take with them and went
back to Cumberland County for safety. Each time after peace was
restored with the Indians, they returned to their mountain home.

Casper Stotler was a genial, thrifty, whole-souled man. By his
industry he accumulated much wealth. He purchased more than
fifteen hundred acres of land in Shade Township from the Penns,
most of which he had titled in the names of his seven children.
He also owned several hundred acres of land in Bedford County.

From his farm and in his home at "The Fields" he provided
supplies and accommodations for the many travelers along the
Forbes Road from which he benefited greatly, both financially and
otherwise. Since the Forbes Road in this vicinity passed over much
swampy ground and rugged terrain, it was found necessary to build
a new road. The new road left the old road a short distance east of
"The Fields," passing about a half mile south along what later be-
came known as the "Great Road" or "Pennsylvania Road." This
new road diverted much of Stotler's trade. To hold this trade, he
then built a cabin near the intersection and stocked it with supplies,
such as hay, oats, and other provisions. He employed a man to
stay here, but when the man proved faithless, he put his son John,
only fifteen years old, in charge.
   
Later he built a tavern here--the first tavern in Shade Town-
ship. In time, John Stotler became the owner. Years later, when
the Pennsylvania Turnpike was constructed, this tavern became a
noted place. It was located on the old Stoy farm, one mile east of
Reel's Corners on the Lincoln Highway.
   
Mr. Stotler also taught school and built the first schoolhouse
in Shade Township in 1810. The Stotler School was closed in
1937--the last of the one-room schools in the township.
Casper Stotler, son of Christopher Stotler, was born August
18, 1743, and died April 12, 1798, aged 55 years. He married
Rebecca Walters, who was born ----, 1736, and died
February 20, 1826. They were married at Carlisle, Pennsylvania,
1764, and were the parents of the following children: Casper,
Jr., Mary, Elizabeth, John, Samuel, Emanuel, and Eleanor. Casper
and his wife, Rebecca Stotler, are interred in the Stotler
Cemetery.