OBIT: Charles I. SHAVER, 1941, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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CHARLES I. SHAVER

  Charles I. Shaver, venerable father of Attorney Clarence L. Shaver, died at 
his home in Somerset, last Thursday afternoon, July 24, just eight days before 
the completion of his 88th year.
  He was an invalid during the last eight years of his life, owing to a 
gangrenous infection which necessitated the amputation of his left leg.  The 
amputation prolonged his life, but he was crippled and confined to his home 
during the remainder of his years.
  Until he reached the age of four score years Mr. Shaver engaged successfully 
in various honorable activities in private and public life.  He was born on a 
farm in Somerset Township, Aug. 2, 1853.  He learned the carpentering trade when 
a young man and worked at that vocation in Illinois and New Jersey before 
locating in Johnstown in 1887.  There he was employed in the planing mill and 
hardware business until about the year 1900 when he returned to his native 
county and was an honored and prominent resident of the county-seat town until 
his death.
  While working in a Johnstown planing mill he was the victim of an accident 
which resulted in the loss of sight in one eye.  He and his family went through 
the horrors of the great Johnstown flood of 1889, during which catastrophe he 
was credited with heroic deeds in rescuing drowning people and giving help and 
shelter in his home to a number of people who lost their all in the flood, while 
his own home escaped destruction.
  During the years of his residence in Somerset, Mr. Shaver established a 
reputation as an efficient and conscientous public servant, first as secretary 
of the Borough Council, then four years as Deputy Recorder of Deeds and finally 
eight years as Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphans Court of Somerset 
County.
  He also conducted an art shop and picture-framing business in Somerset for 
more than 20 years.
  In politics Mr. Shaver was an ardent Republican and took an active interest in 
electing men to office who would perform their duties to the public ably and 
honestly and be a credit to their party.
  In religion, Mr. Shaver was an earnest and active member of the Lutheran 
church, and a member and secretary of the official board of Trinity Lutheran 
Church of Somerset for many years.  He was instrumental in calling Rev. I. Hess 
Wagner, D.D., to the pastorate of Trinity Lutheran more than 30 years ago, where 
he has remained ever since.
  It was Dr. Wagner's last privilege to conduct the funeral rites for his aged 
friend and parishioner at the late residence of the deceased at 4 o'clock last 
Saturday afternoon.  The obsequies were largely attended and many tokens of 
respect and esteem were shown.  Burial was made in the family plot in the 
Somerset Union Cemetery under the direction of Mortician Walter S. Hoffman.
  Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Emma Mostoller Shaver, a son, Attorney Clarence 
L. Shaver, and a daughter, Miss Bess Shaver, of Somerset; two sons, L. Clyde and 
Arlington Shaver of Cleveland, Ohio, and three grandchildren, Mrs. Denise 
Withrow of Midland, Michigan; Dr. Chester L. Shaver of Oberlin, Ohio; and Clyde 
Edward Shaver of Cleveland, Ohio.  Two great-grandchildren also survive: Philip, 
son of Dr. and Mrs. Chester Shaver, and David, son of Denise and Rose Withrow.

Meyersdale Republican, July 31, 1941