Jesse S. Shaffer Biography


	This biography appears on page 749 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JESSE S. SHAFFER. 

	Jesse S. Shaffer, who came to South Dakota more than three 
decades ago, has resided within its borders continuously since and is 
now serving for the second term as sheriff of Brown county. His home is 
in Aberdeen. He was born in Shiawassee county, Michigan, in 1857, and 
is a son of Levi and Ann (Demorest) Shaffer. After completing the 
public-school course he was employed as a clerk in his native state. In 
March, 1882, when a young man of twenty-five years, he came to Brown 
county, South Dakota, and took up a tract of government hand in 
Columbia township. Since that time he has farmed and has also been 
engaged in mercantile pursuits in various parts of the county. In 1898 
he was made deputy sheriff under Frank Thompson, later served under H. 
W. Cole and subsequently as deputy with John Anderson. In this capacity 
he made such an excellent record that in the fall of 1910 he was 
elected sheriff of Brown county and received recognition of his able 
service in reelection two years later. The unruly element has been held 
in check through the effective discharge of his duties, and he has won 
the respect and admiration of all peace-loving and law-abiding 
citizens. 

	On the 6th of June, 1881, Mr. Shaffer was united in marriage to 
Miss Charlotte A. Newman, who was born in Wellington, Canada, in 1860. 
Unto them have been born six children, as follows: E. L., who follows 
farming in Marshall county, South Dakota; Livilli May, who gave her 
hand in marriage to Professor F. W. Smith and resides in North Dakota; 
Roy E., of Aberdeen, who is in the service of the Chicago, Milwaukee & 
St. Paul Railway; Iva L., the wife of H. L. Elliott, of Aberdeen; 
Bertha M., who is the wife of H. M. Anderson and lives in Aberdeen; and 
Harold C. All the above named are natives of South Dakota. 

	Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Shaffer 
has supported the men and measures of the republican party. In Masonry 
he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and also 
belongs to the Mystic Shrine, while both he and his wife are connected 
with the Eastern Star. His other fraternal relations are with the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Brotherhood of America, the 
Degree of Honor and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and he is 
in hearty sympathy with the beneficent spirit which underlies these 
organizations. In all life's relations he has enjoyed the respect and 
confidence of his fellow men because he is honest, upright, persistent 
and determined.